Abstract:Objective: To detect the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) , follicular regulatory T cells (Tfrs) , follicular helper T cells (Tfhs) , and the expression of their surface molecules tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 4 (OX40) and programmed-death factor 1 (PD-1) in peripheral blood of patients with Graves' disease (GD) . Methods: A total of 23 newly-diagnosed GD patients (GD group) and 22 normal controls (NC group) were enrolled in this study. The proportions of Tregs (CD3+CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) , Tfrs (CD4+Foxp3+PD-1+CXCR5+) and Tfhs (CD4+Foxp3-PD-1+CXCR5+) , and the expression of their surface molecules OX40 and PD-1 in peripheral blood of the two groups were detected by flow cytometry. The relationship between the pathogenesis of GD and Tregs, Tfrs, Tfhs, OX40 and PD-1 was analyzed. The correlations between the detection indexes and clinical indexes were also analyzed, and the clinical significance was preliminarily discussed. Results: Compared with the NC group, the number of Tregs in the GD group was significantly increased, and the expression of PD-1 on Tregs was decreased. PD-1 expression on Tregs was significantly negatively correlated with TRAb level. The number of Tfrs was significantly decreased in newly-diagnosed GD patients, and OX40 expression was up-regulated on Tfrs. The number of Tfrs was negatively correlated with TRAb. Conclusion: The low expression of PD-1 on Tregs may be involved in the pathogenesis of GD by affecting the function of Tregs. The number of Tfrs in GD patients is significantly reduced, and the expression of OX40 is significantly increased. OX40 may be involved in the pathogenesis of GD by affecting Tfrs and Tfhs homeostasis. These results may provide some new ideas for the clinical treatment of GD.
