The Role of SEB on the Differentiation of T Cells in CRS

Abstract

Objective: Recent studies indicate that there is a subset of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells (Treg cells) that express interleukin (IL)-17 and the cells might be new proinflammatory cells because of the expression of IL-17. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of SEB on the differentiation of regulatory T cells to cells that express retinoic acid related orphan receptor gamma (RORγ) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).

Method: Immunohistochemical stains for SEB, FOXP3, and RORC were conducted in the tissues from 13 control subjects and 20 patients with nasal polyposis. PBMCs were separated from the patients and control subjects and incubated with SEB (1 µL/mL) for 24 hours and 48 hours, and the percentage of the various T cell subsets and cytokine profiles by using flow cytometry.

Results: The cells that express both SEB and FOXP3 or RORC and FOXP3 were higher in nasal polyps, especially eosinophilic polyps compared with control mucosa. CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells, CD4+CD25+FOXP3+RORγt+ T cells, and CD4+CD25+FOXP3+RORγt- T cells are significantly increased (p < .05) in NP patients compared with control subjects.

Conclusion: This result indicated that SEB may be involved in differentiation of regulatory T cell to RORγ+Treg cells and these cells might be involved in tissue inflammation in CRS with nasal polyposis patients.