Role of CD8 Regulatory T Cells versus Tc1 and Tc17 Cells in the Development of Human Graft-versus-Host Disease

• Main Authors: Adriana Gutiérrez-Hoya, Rubén López-Santiago, Jorge Vela-Ojeda, Laura Montiel-Cervantes, Octavio Rodríguez-Cortés, Víctor Rosales-García, Vladimir Paredes-Cervantes, Raúl Flores-Mejía, Daniela Sandoval-Borrego, Martha Moreno-Lafont
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2017-01-01
• Series: Journal of Immunology Research
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/1236219
• ISSN: 2314-8861; 2314-7156

CD8+ T cells that secrete proinflammatory cytokines play a central role in exacerbation of inflammation; however, a new subpopulation of CD8 regulatory T cells has recently been characterized. This study analyzes the prominent role of these different subpopulations in the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Samples from 8 healthy donors mobilized with Filgrastim® (G-CSF) and 18 patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were evaluated by flow cytometry. Mobilization induced an increase in Tc1 (p<0.01), Th1 (p<0.001), Tc17 (p<0.05), and CD8+IL-10+ cells (p<0.05), showing that G-CSF induces both pro- and anti-inflammatory profiles. Donor-patient correlation revealed a trend (p=0.06) toward the development of GVHD in patients who receive a high percentage of Tc1 cells. Patients with acute GVHD (aGVHD), either active or controlled, and patients without GVHD were evaluated; patients with active aGVHD had a higher percentage of Tc1 (p<0.01) and Tc17 (p<0.05) cells, as opposed to patients without GVHD in whom a higher percentage of CD8 Treg cells (p<0.01) was found. These findings indicate that the increase in Tc1 and Tc17 cells is associated with GVHD development, while regulatory CD8 T cells might have a protective role in this disease. These tests can be used to monitor and control GVHD.