Vitales-Noyola M, et al. - As T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells, a subpopulation of T lymphocytes (CD4+CD49+LAG-3+IL-10+), have a considerable immunosuppressive effect, researchers assessed their levels and function in peripheral blood and thyroid tissue in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). Findings revealed that low levels of Tr1 cells and their diminished function could have a role in the defective immune-regulatory function characteristic of these patients.

Methods

• Researchers conducted this observational study at Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
• They analyzed 38 patients with AITD (23 with Graves disease and 15 with Hashimoto thyroiditis) and 26 controls.
• The levels in peripheral blood (n=38) and thyroid mononuclear cells (n=5) were analyzed using multiparametric flow cytometry and immunofluorescence techniques.
• The function of Tr1 cells was studied via an in vitro assay of suppression of cellular activation and cytokine release.
• They assessed levels and function of Tr1 cells in patients with AITD and controls as main outcome measures.

Results

• Peripheral blood from patients with AITD showed significantly diminished levels of Tr1 cells.
• Researchers noted a diminished suppressive function of Tr1 cells from patients with AITD vs healthy controls in the functional studies.
• They noted an association between Tr1 levels and disease severity, including longer duration of the disease and ophthalmopathy activity, and with autoantibody titers.