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Decreased LAG3 expression on T effector cells and regulatory T cells in SAA

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the expression of lymphocyte activation gene 3(LAG3) on CD8+T effector cells (Teffs), CD4+ Teffs and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA).

Methods

We detected the expression of LAG3 on CD8+ Teffs, CD4+ Teffs and Tregs in SAA patients and healthy controls (HC) by flow cytometry, and analyzed its correlation with the immune status and severity of the disease. ELISA was used to detect soluble LAG3(sLAG3).

Results

The expression of LAG3 on CD8+ Teffs, CD4+ Teffs and Tregs in untreated SAA patients were significantly lower than those in HC group (P < 0.05). After IST, the LAG3 expression of target cells increased to a level even higher than that in HC group (P < 0.05). LAG3 on T cell subsets was closely related to immune status and severity of the disease. The concentration of sLAG3 in these groups showed similar trends. LAG3 was not a prognostic factor of response.

Conclusion

The decreased expression of LAG3 on CD8+ Teffs, CD4+ Teffs and Tregs may be involved in the pathogenesis of SAA. LAG3 intervention may have therapeutic potential in treating SAA.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Numbers 81970116, 81770118, 81570111, 81870101; the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin Municipal Science and Technology Commission under Grant Number 18ZXDBSY00140; and the Zhao Yi-Cheng Medical Science Foundation of Tianjin under Grant Number ZYYFY2019029.

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  1. Yingying Sun, Chunyan Liu and Ting Jiao are co-first authors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, China

    Yingying Sun, Chunyan Liu, Ting Jiao, Ning Xie, Huaquan Wang, Weiwei Qi & Zonghong Shao

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  1. Yingying Sun
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  2. Chunyan Liu
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Correspondence to Zonghong Shao.

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Sun, Y., Liu, C., Jiao, T. et al. Decreased LAG3 expression on T effector cells and regulatory T cells in SAA. Int J Hematol 112, 757–763 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-020-02966-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-020-02966-y

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