Inverse relationship between the ratio of ICAM-1 expressing lymphocytes and serum TGF-beta 1 concentrations in acute rheumatic fever

• Published in: Journal of autoimmunity Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 141 - 149
• Main Authors: Aksu, Guzide, Bayram, Nuri, Ulger, Zulal, Ozturk, Can, Ozyurek, Ruhi A, Bakiler, Rahmi A, Kutukculer, Necil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.09.2005
• Subjects: Acute-Phase Reaction - blood; Acute-Phase Reaction - immunology; Acute-Phase Reaction - metabolism; Adolescent; Biomarkers - blood; Biomarkers - metabolism; Child; Female; Humans; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 - biosynthesis; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Lymphocyte Count; Lymphocytes - immunology; Lymphocytes - metabolism; Male; Rheumatic Fever - blood; Rheumatic Fever - immunology; Rheumatic Fever - metabolism; Self Tolerance; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 - blood
• ISSN: 0896-8411
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2005.05.006

Autoimmunity in acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is triggered by group-A beta hemolytic streptococci (GAS). Although most of the recent work has focused on the major impact of lymphocytes, the exact immunopathogenesis is still unresolved. Regulation of self-tolerance in response to GAS has been investigated in various animal experiments. This study aimed to associate the ratio of lymphocytes bearing adhesion/costimulatory molecules, Bcl-2/CD95 and serum TGF-beta1 concentrations with clinical stages of ARF. Thirty-five patients were assigned according to the clinical stages. Bcl-2 expression on CD19+ and CD3+ lymphocytes was similar within patient groups and controls. CD62p expression was higher in patients with carditis. The ratio of ICAM-1 bearing lymphocytes was significantly different between patient groups and controls and was increased through acute to remission stages longitudinally. In contrast, a gradual and significant decrease in TGF-beta1 concentrations was observed longitudinally from acute to chronic stages. A positive correlation has been documented between ICAM-1+ lymphocyte ratios and Fas+ cytotoxic T cell ratios supported by a prominent increase in CD95+ T cells. These data draw our attention to the role of ICAM-1, Fas and TGF-beta1 in ARF pathogenesis through the perspective of self-tolerance in a clinical setting.