Background: Accumulating evidence has suggested that immune responses may play a pivotal role in the process of Moyamoya disease (MMD).
Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore whether alterations in Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood are associated with MMD.
Patients and methods: MMD patients (n = 26) diagnosed by angiography and volunteers (n = 32) were enrolled in this study. To determine the balance of Treg/Th17 in MMD, we used flow cytometry to measure the percentage of Treg and Th17 among lymphocytes in peripheral blood. Meanwhile, relevant cytokines were isolated in peripheral blood to evaluate functions of Treg and Th17, respectively.
Results: Cerebral hemorrhage occurs in half of patients as an onset symptom, followed by cerebral ischemia. Our data revealed that both percentage of Treg and Th17 among lymphocytes was elevated in MMD patients. Similarly, MMD patients showed significant increase in functions of Treg and Th17 as evidenced by increased expression of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, VEGF and TGF-β in peripheral blood. However, no significant difference in the balance of Treg/Th17 was detected between two groups. Furthermore, onset symptoms and gender were independent with these changes.
Conclusion: We first report here increased expression in Treg and Th17 cells that were found in MMD patients, which may provide valuable insight into the immune-related pathology of MMD.
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© 2015 Published by Elsevier Inc.