The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood in patients with active tuberculosis. A total of 21 patients with active tuberculosis and 15 healthy volunteers were included in the study. T-lymphocyte subsets, B-lymphocytes (CD19(+) cells), natural killer (NK) cells and cells positive for costimulatory molecules CD28 and CD152 were evaluated using flow cytometry. Patients with tuberculosis had a significantly decreased percentage of CD3(+) and CD3(+)CD4(+) cells, and a significantly decreased ratio of CD3(+)CD4(+) to CD3(+)CD8(+) cells compared with healthy controls. In contrast, the percentage of B-cells (CD19(+) cells), CD3(+)CD8(+) cells, CD28(+) cells, CD152(+) cells, and subpopulations of CD4(+)CD152(+), CD8(+)CD152(+) and CD8(+)CD28(+) T-cells were all significantly increased compared with healthy controls. There were no statistically significant differences in the percentages of NK cells or CD4(+)CD28(+) cells between patients and controls. These results indicate that patients with active tuberculosis have altered lymphocyte homeostasis.

Circulating T(reg) cells are increased in proportion in patients with cavity MDR-TB and decreased after surgery. Infection with M. tuberculosis may induce T(reg) cell-surface molecular changes with increased numbers of cells.

Aim: To produce dendritic cells (DCs) from CD34+ stem cells from cord blood and explore their prophylactic and curative effect against tumors by vaccinating humanized NSG mice. Materials & methods: Separated CD34+ stem cells from cord blood were cultured for 30 days, and the resultant DCs (CD34-DCs) were collected. The basic function of the CD34-DCs and the cytotoxicity of CD34-cytotoxic-T lymphocytes (CTLs) were tested in vitro, and tumor inhibition in a humanized NSG mouse tumor model was observed. Results: The number of CD34-DCs reached approximately 9 log. These cells performed functions similar to those of DCs derived from monocytes from peripheral blood (PBMC-DCs). The CTLs of the CD34-DCs (CD34-CTLs) presented a better antitumor effect in vitro. The obvious prophylactic and therapeutic antitumor effects of the CD34-DC vaccine were observed in the humanized NSG mouse models. Conclusion: CD34-DCs from cord blood were sufficient in quantity and quality as a vaccine agent against tumors in vitro and in vivo.

Objective To determine circulating follicular T helper (Tfh) cell precursor and its relationship with clinical characteristics in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). Methods The study population included 47 patients with IIM and 30 healthy controls. Circulating CD4+CXCR5+CCR7loPD‐1hi T cells and intracellular interleukin (IL)‐21 were assessed by flow cytometry. Serum IL‐21 levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The disease activity was evaluated using myositis disease activity assessment visual analog scales (VAS) as well as muscle and physician global assessment (PGA). Results The percentage of the CCR7loPD‐1hi subset cells within CD4+CXCR5+ T cells was significantly increased in patients with IIM compared to that in healthy controls (14.3 ± 6.5 vs 11.4 ± 2.6, P = .009). Patients with higher percentages of CCR7loPD‐1hi subsets presented with higher PGA VAS (P = .000), muscle VAS (P = .000), as well as serum creatinine kinase (CK) levels (P = .000) than those with lower percentages of CCR7loPD‐1hi subsets. IL‐21 expression significantly increased in CD4+CXCR5+CCR7loPD‐1hi T cells in patients with IIM compared to that in healthy controls (26.07 ± 7.38 vs 19.25 ± 5.67, P = .001). Meanwhile, both the CCR7loPD‐1hi subset and intracellular IL‐21 expression in IIM patients showed significantly positive correlation with PGA VAS, muscle VAS and serum CK levels. Circulating CD4+CXCR5+CCR7loPD‐1hi T cells and intracellular IL‐21 decreased significantly when disease was improved (P = .018; P = .028). Conclusion The percentage of circulating CCR7loPD‐1hi subset among total CD4+CXCR5+ T cells and intracellular IL‐21 expression expanded and showed significant correlation with disease activity in IIM. The circulating follicular helper T cell precursor may be involved in the pathogenesis, especially muscle injury in IIM.