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The prevalence of Th17 cells and FOXP3 regulate T cells (Treg) in children with primary nephrotic syndrome

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of interleukin (IL)-17-producing CD4+ T cells (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells in children with primary nephrotic syndrome. The study cohort consisted of 62 children who were randomly divided into control, primary nephrotic syndrome, and isolated hematuria groups. Flow cytometric analysis revealed the presence of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 35 children and Tregs in the PBMCs of all children. In addition, mRNA expression of Th17-related factors [IL-17, -23p19 and retinoid orphan nuclear receptor (RORc)] and the concentration of plasma inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and IL-1β were consistently detected in all children. Protein expression of IL-17 and transforming growth factor-β1 were also detected in renal biopsy tissue and compared between different groups. Patients with PNS were found to have an increased number of Th17 cells and decreased numbers of Tregs in their PBMCs, and there was significant difference in the prevalence of Th17 and Tregs between the patients with PNS and those with isolated hematuria. Our data show that among our study cohort, there was a dynamic equilibrium between Th17 and Treg cells in children with PNS following the development of PNS with apparent renal tubular epithelial cell and interstitium lesions. The dynamic interaction between Th17 and Treg cells may be important in the development of PNS.

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Acknowledgments

We greatly appreciate Dr. Zhao Xia Li (Johns Hopkins University, USA) for technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nephroimmunology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, People’s Republic of China

    Xiao Shan Shao, Xi Qang Yang, Xi Qang Yang, Xiao Dong Zhao, Qiu Li, Xiao Gang Wang, Mo Wang & Wei Zhang

  2. Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Children Pediatric Research, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, People’s Republic of China

    Yuan Yuan Xie

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  1. Xiao Shan Shao
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  2. Xi Qang Yang
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  3. Xiao Dong Zhao
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  4. Qiu Li
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  5. Yuan Yuan Xie
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  7. Mo Wang
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  8. Wei Zhang
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Correspondence to Xi Qang Yang.

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Shao, X.S., Yang, X.Q., Zhao, X.D. et al. The prevalence of Th17 cells and FOXP3 regulate T cells (Treg) in children with primary nephrotic syndrome. Pediatr Nephrol 24, 1683–1690 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-009-1194-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-009-1194-x

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