Ming-Qi Zhao1, Li-Hua Wang2, Guang-Wan Lian1, Zheng-Fang Lin1, Ying-Hua Li1, Min Guo1, Yi Chen1, Xiao-Min Liu1, Bing Zhu3. 1. Virus Laboratory, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 318 Renminzhong Road Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510120, China. 2. Virus Laboratory, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 318 Renminzhong Road Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiaogan Central Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 6 Guangchang Road, Xiaogan, Hubei, 432000, China. 3. Virus Laboratory, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 318 Renminzhong Road Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510120, China. Electronic address: zhubing2016@hotmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the major causative pathogens of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Immune cells play a critical role in determining the outcomes of virus infection. We aimed to characterize the lymphocyte subsets and transcriptional levels of T lymphocytes-associated transcription factors in peripheral blood cells of children with EV71 infection. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from 32 children with EV71 infection and 32 control subjects were included in this study. The frequencies of T-, B-lymphocytes, and their subsets were determined by flow cytometry. The expression of transcription factors, including T-bet, Gata3, ROR γ t, Foxp3, TCF-1, and BCL-6 in the whole blood cells were evaluated by real-time reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: The frequencies of T cells, helper T cells (Th), cytotoxic T cells (Tc), IFN-γ+ Th1, IFN-γ+ Tc1, and regulatory T (Treg) cells were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in children with EV71 infection. As for IL-4+ Th2, IL-4+ Tc2, IL-17+ Th17, IL-17+ Tc17, follicular helper T cells (Tfh), CD3+CD8+IL-21+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, and CD19+IL-10+ B10 cells, their frequencies were significantly increased in the EV71 group (P < 0.01). The EV71 group had lower mRNA expressions of T-bet, Gata3, and Foxp3 than the control group (P < 0.05), whereas the expressions of ROR γ t, TCF-1, and BCL-6 showed no significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: EV71 infection in children caused a decreased frequency of total Th, Tc and Treg cells, and increased percentages of B cell, Th2 and Th17 cells in blood.
BACKGROUND:Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the major causative pathogens of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Immune cells play a critical role in determining the outcomes of virus infection. We aimed to characterize the lymphocyte subsets and transcriptional levels of T lymphocytes-associated transcription factors in peripheral blood cells of children with EV71 infection. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from 32 children with EV71 infection and 32 control subjects were included in this study. The frequencies of T-, B-lymphocytes, and their subsets were determined by flow cytometry. The expression of transcription factors, including T-bet, Gata3, ROR γ t, Foxp3, TCF-1, and BCL-6 in the whole blood cells were evaluated by real-time reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: The frequencies of T cells, helper T cells (Th), cytotoxic T cells (Tc), IFN-γ+ Th1, IFN-γ+ Tc1, and regulatory T (Treg) cells were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in children with EV71 infection. As for IL-4+ Th2, IL-4+ Tc2, IL-17+ Th17, IL-17+ Tc17, follicular helper T cells (Tfh), CD3+CD8+IL-21+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, and CD19+IL-10+ B10 cells, their frequencies were significantly increased in the EV71 group (P < 0.01). The EV71 group had lower mRNA expressions of T-bet, Gata3, and Foxp3 than the control group (P < 0.05), whereas the expressions of ROR γ t, TCF-1, and BCL-6 showed no significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSIONS:EV71 infection in children caused a decreased frequency of total Th, Tc and Treg cells, and increased percentages of B cell, Th2 and Th17 cells in blood.