Inverse Correlation between CD4 + CD25 High CD127 low/− Regulatory T-Cells and Serum Immunoglobulin A in Patients with New-Onset Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

This study investigated the role of regulatory T (T_reg) cells in patients with new-onset, treatment-naïve ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Levels of CD4+CD25^highCD127^low/- T_reg cells in the peripheral blood of 14 AS patients and 18 age-matched healthy volunteers were investigated by flow cytometry and correlations with serum levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and AS activity, as assessed by the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), were analysed. The number of peripheral blood CD4⁺CD25^highCD127^low/- T_reg cells in AS patients was found to be significantly lower than in healthy controls and was inversely correlated with serum IgA levels. There was no significant correlation between CD4+CD25^highCD127^low/- T_reg cell numbers and BASDAI scores. It is concluded that CD4+CD25^highCD127^low/-T_reg cells may play a role in the pathogenesis and activity of AS.