陳曉梅,李 靜,張曉盈,金月波,余 迪,孫曉麟,武麗君,何 菁△,栗占國
(1. 北京大學人民醫(yī)院風濕免疫科, 北京 100044; 2. 新疆維吾爾自治區(qū)人民醫(yī)院風濕免疫科, 烏魯木齊 830001)
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·論著·
不同亞型的濾泡輔助性T淋巴細胞在類風濕關節(jié)炎中的臨床意義
陳曉梅1,2*,李 靜1*,張曉盈1,金月波1,余 迪1,孫曉麟1,武麗君2△,何 菁1△,栗占國1
(1. 北京大學人民醫(yī)院風濕免疫科, 北京 100044; 2. 新疆維吾爾自治區(qū)人民醫(yī)院風濕免疫科, 烏魯木齊 830001)
目的:檢測類風濕關節(jié)炎(rheumatoid arthritis, RA)患者外周血中濾泡輔助性T(T follicular helper, Tfh)淋巴細胞亞型以及效應型濾泡輔助性T(T follicular helper effector memory, Tfhem)細胞的表達,并探討二者作為活動性RA患者血液標志物的價值。方法: 流式細胞術分別檢測41例RA患者和32例健康受試者的外周血中Tfh(CD3+CD4+CXCR5+CD45RA-)細胞亞型 Tfh1(CXCR3+CCR6-Tfh)、Tfh2(CXCR3-CCR6-Tfh)、Tfh17(CXCR3-CCR6+Tfh)和Tfhem (CD4+CXCR5+CCR7lowPD-1high)的水平。收集入組RA患者的臨床資料及實驗室指標,分析上述細胞亞型表達水平與RA疾病活動和實驗室指標的相關性,酶聯(lián)免疫吸附法(enzyme-linked immunosorbent, ELISA)檢測相關血清細胞因子。結(jié)果: RA患者外周血中Tfhem細胞的表達率明顯高于正常對照組(12.8%±5.7%vs. 8.7%±2.0%,P=0.001)。Tfhem細胞表達水平與RA患者疾病活動指數(shù)(disease activity score in 28 joints, DAS28)及紅細胞沉降率(erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ESR)存在顯著相關性(r(DAS28)=0.205,r(ESR)=0.141,P<0.05),與抗角蛋白抗體(anti-keratin antibody,AKA)、抗核周因子(anti-perinuclear factor, APF)及IgM型類風濕因子(immunoglobulin M-rheumatoid factors,IgM-RF)、IgA、IgM及IgG等臨床指標則無明顯相關性。Tfh2表達水平在RA組顯著高于正常對照組(3.002%±0.408%vs. 1.730%± 0.160%,P=0.013)。Tfh2-high組RA患者的IgA[(3.045±0.261)g/Lvs.(3.963±0.815) g/L,P=0.172]、IgG[(13.800±0.862)g/Lvs.(16.980±0.224) g/L,P=0.161]和IgM[(1.135±0.083)g/Lvs.(1.731±0.380) g/L,P=0.140]高于Tfh2-low組,但差異尚無統(tǒng)計學意義(P>0.05)。與Tfh低表達組相比,Tfh2高表達組血清中IL-4[(2.322±0.214)ng/Lvs. (3.994±0.751) ng/L,P=0.056]和IL-10[(1.898±0.105) ng/Lvs. (3.125±0.880) ng/L,P=0.140]升高,差異無統(tǒng)計學意義(P>0.05)。結(jié)論: Tfhem細胞的表達與RA患者病情活動有關,可能在RA的發(fā)病過程中有預警作用,并可能成為將來治療RA的靶細胞;Tfh2及其相關細胞因子在RA患者中明顯增加,可能參與了RA的發(fā)生和發(fā)展。
關節(jié)炎, 類風濕;T淋巴細胞, 輔助誘導;疾病活動指數(shù)
類風濕關節(jié)炎(rheumatoid arthritis, RA)是一種系統(tǒng)性自身免疫病,主要表現(xiàn)為慢性、侵襲性小關節(jié)炎,也可累及心臟、肺、腎等多種器官。RA的特征之一是產(chǎn)生多種自身抗體(如抗環(huán)瓜氨酸肽抗體),高滴度的自身抗體是影響RA預后的不良因素之一[1]。但是,目前廣泛應用于臨床來評價病情活動度的相關指標,如紅細胞沉降率(erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ESR),C-反應蛋白(C-reactive protein, CRP),補體系統(tǒng)及各種疾病活動度評分(disease activity score in 28 joints, DAS28)等,并不能完全解釋患者自身抗體產(chǎn)生和免疫異常的原因,因此尋找特異性反映免疫學功能的指標,是臨床實踐中亟待解決的關鍵問題。
濾泡輔助性T(T follicular helper, Tfh, CD3+CD4+CXCR5+CD45RA-)細胞是T輔助(T helper, Th)細胞的亞型之一,可促進B細胞和漿細胞的分化、成熟,從而調(diào)控抗體產(chǎn)生。根據(jù)Tfh細胞表面趨化因子受體CCR6和CXCR3的不同,可將其分為3個亞型:Tfh1(CXCR3+CCR6-)、Tfh2(CXCR3-CCR6-)和Tfh17(CXCR3-CCR6+),3者分別分泌干擾素(interferon, IFN)-γ,interleukin(IL)-4和IL-17,類似于傳統(tǒng)的Th細胞[2-3]。研究顯示,Tfh2和Tfh17可有效誘導幼稚B細胞分化為漿細胞,而Tfh1則無此功能[4]。在許多免疫性疾病中,如系統(tǒng)性紅斑狼瘡(systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE)、免疫激活的慢性乙型肝炎以及自身免疫性甲狀腺病等,Tfh細胞或某些亞型的表達與這類疾病活動度以及自身抗體滴度密切相關,可望成為監(jiān)控機體抗體失調(diào)反應以及病情活動度的標志物[5],因此鑒定和識別不同亞型的Tfh細胞能更好地認識自身免疫性疾病的發(fā)病機制,對于改善免疫病治療和預后具有重要意義。
我們前期的研究發(fā)現(xiàn),RA患者血液中低表達CCR7和高表達PD-1的CXCR5+CD4+T細胞亞型表達增多,不僅與臨床病情活動程度一致,還與生發(fā)中心內(nèi)Tfh細胞的活化和致病抗體產(chǎn)生相關[6]。動物實驗結(jié)果表明,上述亞型的Tfh細胞是在生發(fā)中心免疫反應之前在外周血中產(chǎn)生的,可視為Tfh效應記憶(T follicular helper effector memory, Tfhem)細胞。當再次遇到致病原或抗原時,Tfhem迅速分化為Tfh細胞并促進抗體的產(chǎn)生,因此,Tfhem反映了機體的免疫狀態(tài)并參與自身免疫病的發(fā)病機制。進一步研究顯示,血液中的Tfh細胞有很多亞群,本課題組已經(jīng)鑒定了CCR7lowPD-1high和CCR7highPD-1low兩個亞型[6]。本研究發(fā)現(xiàn)了活動性RA患者外周血中的Tfhem和Tfh2細胞顯著升高,并進一步明確了二者在RA中的臨床意義。
1.1 研究對象
本研究連續(xù)納入2014年6月至2015年5月期間在北京大學人民醫(yī)院風濕免疫科住院的初治或近3個月未應用激素和慢作用抗風濕病藥物(disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs,DMRADs)的RA患者41例,入選患者均符合2010年美國風濕病學會(American College of Rheumatology, ACR)/歐洲風濕病防治聯(lián)合會(European League Against Rheumatism, EULAR)RA分類標準,同時納入32例健康志愿者作為健康對照。本研究得到北京大學人民醫(yī)院倫理委員會批準(2015PHB219-01),所有參與者均簽署知情同意書。
1.2 研究方法
1.2.1 Tfhem細胞的流式檢測
抽取RA患者外周血4 mL,EDTA抗凝,分離外周血單個核細胞(peripheral blood monouclear cells, PBMC),制成1×106個/mL的0.2 mol/L PBS細胞懸液;4 ℃環(huán)境下,加入熒光標記的目的抗體AF700-CD3、PECF-594-CD4、AF-647-CXCR5、PE/Cy7-PD-1、BV421-CCR7、PECF-594-CXCR3和BV-650-CCR6,與熒光單抗進行孵育染色;4 ℃避光反應30 min,2 500 r/min,水平離心5 min,棄上清;加入0.2 mol/L PBS 5 mL吹打均勻,2 500 r/min,水平離心5 min,棄上清;以上方法再洗一次;流式細胞儀測定細胞表面熒光標記率及標記強度的變化。外周血Tfh及其亞型定義如下:Tfh:CD3+CD4+CXCR5+CD45RA-;Tfh1[3]:CXCR3+CCR6-Tfh;Tfh2[3]:CXCR3-CCR6-Tfh;Tfh17[3]:CXCR3-CCR6+Tfh;Tfhem[2]:CD3+CD4+CXCR5+CCR7lowPD-1high。
1.2.2 臨床及實驗室指標
收集RA患者的基本資料(年齡、性別、病程等)、疾病活動度指標(ESR、CRP等)及各種免疫學指標(抗環(huán)瓜氨酸肽抗體、類風濕因子等)。
1.3 統(tǒng)計學處理
2.1 一般資料
本研究入選的RA患者為41例,男性11例,女性30例,年齡20~82歲,平均(56.1±14.0)歲,病程0.1~39.0年,平均(8.2±8.1)年。正常對照32例,男性8例,女性24例,年齡24~76歲,平均(52.3±13.2)歲。兩組在年齡、性別上差異均無統(tǒng)計學意義(P>0.05)。
2.2 Tfhem細胞表達在RA和正常人中的比較
應用流式細胞術檢測以CD3+CD4+CXCR5+CCR7lowPD-1high為標記的Tfhem細胞在RA(n=41)及正常人(n=32)的陽性表達率。應用χ2檢驗比較各組數(shù)據(jù),結(jié)果顯示,Tfhem細胞在RA中的陽性率顯著高于正常人(45.1%vs. 3.1%,P=0.001)。
2.3 Tfhem細胞表達與RA患者的臨床和實驗室指標之間的關系
如表1所示,以正常對照Tfhem的均數(shù)±2×標準差為cut-off值,將RA患者分為Tfhem-low(n=33)和Tfhem-high(n=8)兩組。在RA患者中,Tfhem細胞高表達與低表達組在性別、年齡、病程上差異無統(tǒng)計學意義。Tfhem細胞高表達組患者的疾病活動指數(shù)DAS28評分明顯升高(P=0.022), 并伴ESR加快(P=0.013)。兩組間抗角蛋白抗體(anti-keratin antibody,AKA)、抗核周因子(anti-perinuclear factor, APF)及IgM-RF(immunoglobulin M-rheumatoid factors)、IgA、IgM及IgG等差異均無統(tǒng)計學意義。
表1 RA患者Tfhem細胞表達水平與臨床特點的相關性分析
DAS28, disease activity score in 28 joints; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP, C-reactive protein; RF, rheumatoid factors; Anti-CCP, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptideantibody; AKA, antikeratin antibody; APF, antiperinuclear factor. *P<0.05.
2.4 Tfhem細胞在不同疾病活動指數(shù)(DAS28評分)的RA患者中表達水平的比較
由圖1所示,RA患者外周血中Tfhem細胞的表達率為12.8%±5.7%,明顯高于正常對照組8.7%±2.0%,而且病情活動度越高,Tfhem表達水平越高,差異具有統(tǒng)計學意義。
2.5 Tfh細胞亞型的表達及其在RA中的意義
如圖2所示,與正常人相比,Tfh2亞型在RA患者外周血中的表達顯著升高,而Tfh1和Tfh17在兩組中的表達差異無統(tǒng)計學意義。
以正常對照Tfh2的95% CI為cut-off值,將RA患者分為Tfh2-low(n=35)和Tfh2-high(n=6)兩組。Tfh2-high組的IgA,IgG和IgM高于Tfh2-low組,但差異尚無統(tǒng)計學意義(圖3)。
A,peripheral blood monouclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from 41 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 32 healthy controls (HC). Tfhem cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The result showed that the percentages of Tfhem in RA patients was significantly increased (P=0.001). B, divided the RA patients into four groups according to the disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28), results showed that the increased expression of Tfhem was correlated with higher DAS28. Values are the percentages of Tfhem cells in CD4T cells.
圖1 Tfhem細胞在RA中的表達及其與疾病活動度的相關性
Figure1 Expressions of T follicular helper effector memory (Tfhem) cells and the correlation with disease activity
PBMC were isolated from 41 patients with RA and 32 HC. Tfh subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry.The result showed that the expression of Tfh2 cells, but not Tfh1 or Tfh17, was significantly increased in RA patients (P=0.013). Values are the percentages of each gated subset in CD4T cells.
圖2 Tfh細胞亞型在RA中的表達
Figure2 Expressions of T follicular helper (Tfh) subsets in peripheral blood
為了進一步探討Tfh細胞亞型在RA發(fā)病和發(fā)展中的意義,我們進一步檢測了相關細胞因子的表達。研究顯示,Tfh2具有Th2相似的體液免疫的特點,與Tfh2-low組患者相比,Tfh2-high組患者血清中IL-4[(2.322±0.214)ng/Lvs. (3.994±0.751)ng/L]和IL-10[(1.898±0.105)ng/Lvs. (3.125±0.880)ng/L)]升高,但差異無統(tǒng)計學意義,可能參與了Th2反應,導致了RA征抗體產(chǎn)生及高球蛋白血癥的形成(圖4)。
RA等自身免疫性疾病的重要發(fā)病機制之一是由于產(chǎn)生針對自身抗原的自身抗體而導致的組織損傷。近年來的大量研究表明,自身抗體主要產(chǎn)生于外周淋巴器官的生發(fā)中心(germinal center, GC)。CD4+Th細胞在GC對B細胞進行輔助,免疫球蛋白在GC發(fā)生親和力成熟及亞型轉(zhuǎn)換[2]。免疫領域的學者重新認識了一群定位于生發(fā)中心,穩(wěn)定表達CXCR5,與CXCR13結(jié)合后具有濾泡歸巢能力的CD4+T細胞,稱為Tfh。Tfh細胞能在GC直接輔助B細胞,選擇高親和力的B細胞分化為記憶細胞或漿細胞,并維持體液免疫應答[3]。關于人類疾病的研究中,Choi等[7]發(fā)現(xiàn),SLE患者外周循環(huán)中表達CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+或CD4+CXCR5+ICOS+的細胞比例增高,且與包括抗dsDNA抗體在內(nèi)的自身抗體滴度及腎的終末臟器損傷有關,而與病程、治療用藥及病情活動度無關。免疫激活的慢性乙型肝炎患者的研究也發(fā)現(xiàn)外周血CD4+CXCR5+T細胞比例較非活動性乙型肝炎及健康對照增高,且其比例與血清谷丙轉(zhuǎn)氨酶呈正相關[8]。自身免疫性甲狀腺病患者外周血CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+及CD4+CXCR5+ICOS+T細胞比例也增高,并與抗甲狀腺抗體水平正相關[9]。上述研究提示,Tfh細胞在自身免疫病患者外周血中比例增高,并且可能與自身抗體的產(chǎn)生相關。
Divided the RA patients into Tfh2-low (n=35) and high (n=6) groups according to the 95% CI value of Tfh in heathy controls. The disease activity indicators such as DAS28 (A), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, B), C-reactive protein (CRP, C), as well as the immunological indicators, like serm levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP, D) antibodies, rheumatoid factors (RF, E), γ-globulin (F), IgM (G), IgG (H), IgA (I), were no significant difference between the two groups. Values are the concentrations of each clinical indicators in serm.
圖3 Tfh2細胞亞型與RA患者臨床指標的相關性
Figure3 Correlations between Tfh2 and clinical indicators in RA
本課題組前期利用流式細胞術的方法定義了Tfhem細胞,是表型以CXCR5+CCR7lowPD-1high為特征的CD4+T細胞,而前期Tfh已被證明具有異質(zhì)性,而且包含Th1,Th2和Th17相關細胞因子的特殊亞型[9],然而,Tfh細胞亞群在RA發(fā)病中的作用尚不清楚。本研究發(fā)現(xiàn),RA患者在疾病活動期Tfhem細胞高表達,與現(xiàn)有的疾病活動度有極強的相關性,而且可以直接反映體內(nèi)的免疫細胞失衡狀態(tài),對于治療及療效的監(jiān)測有極高的指導意義。另外,Tfh2亞型在RA中明顯高于正常對照,Th2相關的細胞因子IL-4也有升高的趨勢,可能參與了Tfh病理狀態(tài)中的分化。然而,尚無實驗依據(jù)證明特異的致病性自身抗體參與RA的病理過程,而Tfhem是活躍的輔助B細胞產(chǎn)生抗體的亞型,并且Tfh2的升高也與體液免疫相關。在RA的發(fā)病過程中,循環(huán)中Tfh細胞出現(xiàn)明顯的分化異常,而血清IL-4,-10等細胞因子的升高同時參與Tfh細胞分化的正反饋。本研究結(jié)果顯示Tfhem、Tfh2低表達的RA患者與高表達的RA患者在自身抗體及免疫球蛋白水平差異無統(tǒng)計學意義,由此我們認為外周血中的Tfh可能不能完全反映生發(fā)中心的Tfh細胞功能,所以需要進一步進行動物免疫實驗檢測生發(fā)中心的Tfh細胞亞型,以明確抗體產(chǎn)生的功能。
綜上所述,Tfhem細胞在臨床上可反映RA患者的疾病活動狀態(tài),在疾病的免疫機制中也可以與臨床一致性地反映免疫細胞中效應細胞活化的狀態(tài),因此很有可能進一步地促進疾病的發(fā)展,解釋患者自身抗體產(chǎn)生和免疫異常的原因,可以看做是RA病情進展的預警信號。我們同時發(fā)現(xiàn)Tfh2細胞和相關的細胞因子在RA中升高,可能參與了RA相關病理性T細胞的分化。本研究尚存在不足之處,樣本量較小,需擴大病例數(shù),進行多中心的研究和鑒定,以進一步明確Tfhem細胞在RA中的臨床意義。此外,本研究缺少用藥后Tfhem及Tfh2細胞表達水平的變化及不同治療藥物對其表達的影響的研究數(shù)據(jù),需進一步完善。
RA patients were divided into Tfh2-low (n=34) and high (n=4) groups, and three were no significantdifference between Tfh2 cells and serum levels of IL-2 (A), 4 (B), 6 (C), and 10 (D). Values are the concentrations of each cytokines in serum.
圖4 Tfh2細胞與血清細胞因子的相關性
Figure4 Correlations between Tfh2 cells andserum cytokines
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(2016-08-11收稿)
(本文編輯:劉淑萍)
Significance of different T follicular helper subsets in rheumatoid arthritis
CHEN Xiao-mei1,2*, LI Jing1*, ZHANG Xiao-ying1, JIN Yue-bo1, YU Di1, SUN Xiao-lin1,WU Li-jun2△, HE Jing1△, LI Zhan-guo1
(1. Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China; 2. Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830001, China)
Objective: To detect the expressions of T follicular helper (Tfh) subsets and T follicular helper effect memory (Tfhem) cells in circulation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as to examine their roles in providing biomarkers for active RA. Methods: This study enrolled 41 patients with RA, who were na?vely-treated or had no application of hormone and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in recent 3 months, as well as 32 healthy controls. The percentages of Tfhem (CD4+CXCR5+CCR7lowPD1high) cells, Tfh (CD3+CD4+CXCR5+CD45RA-) subsets, Tfh1 (CXCR3+CCR6-Tfh),Tfh2 (CXCR3-CCR6-Tfh),and Tfh17 (CXCR3-CCR6+Tfh), were determined by flow cytometry of peripheral blood from the patients with RA and health controls. Serum levels of cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA). The correlations of Tfhem/Tfh subsets with clinical indicators were analyzed. Results: The mean age of the patients was (56.1±14.0) years (range: 20-82 years), the mean disease duration was (8.2±8.1) years. There was no significant difference between the RA patients and the health controls with age and gender. As compared with the health control, the percentage of Tfhem was significantly increased in the peripheral blood of the RA patients (12.8%±5.7%vs. 8.7%±2.0%,P=0.001). Moreover, the increased Tfhem was correlated with the higher disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), but not with other clinical indicators, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies, and rheumatoid factors (RF). In addition, the percentage of Tfh2 subset, but not Tfh1 or Tfh17, was significantly increased in the RA patients (3.002%±0.408%vs. 1.730%±0.160%,P=0.013). As compared with Tfh2-low group, serum levels of Ig (immunoglobulin) A [(3.045±0.261) g/Lvs.(3.963±0.815) g/L,P=0.172], IgG [(13.800±0.862) g/Lvs.(16.980±0.224) g/L,P=0.161], IgM [(1.135±0.083) g/Lvs.(1.731±0.380) g/L,P=0.140], IL (interleukin)-4 [(2.322±0.214) ng/Lvs.(3.994±0.751) ng/L,P=0.056] and IL-10[(1.898±0.105) ng/Lvs. (3.125±0.880) ng/L,P=0.140] in Tfh2-high group tended to increase with no significant statistical difference. Conclusion: Our data suggest that Tfhem is associated with disease activity and is a va-luable marker for active RA. It also presents a potential pathogenesis in the development of RA and the target for future therapies. Meanwhile, the increased Tfh2 and associated cytokines might be involved in the development of RA.
Arthritis, rheumatoid; T-lymphocytes, helper-inducer; Disease activity score
國家自然科學基金(81373117, 81429003)資助 Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81373117,
時間:2016-10-31 16:04:17
http://www.cnki.net/kcms/detail/11.4691.R.20161031.1604.002.html
R593.22
A
1671-167X(2016)06-0958-06
10.3969/j.issn.1671-167X.2016.06.007
81429003)
△ Corresponding author’s e-mail, wwlj330@126.com,hejing1105@126.com
*These authors contributed equally to this work