The Treg/Th17 Imbalance in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a chronic inflammatory disease regulated by T lymphocytes. Our purpose is to assess the pattern of Th17 cells and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in peripheral blood of patients with OSAS. Fourty-four OSAS men and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Twenty-three patients were classified into mild to moderate group and 21 cases were classified into severe group according to the severity of OSAS. We detected the frequencies of Th17 and Treg and related serum cytokines secretion and expressions of key transcription factors. OSAS patients revealed significant increase in peripheral Th17 number, Th17-related cytokines (IL-17 and IL-6), and RORγt mRNA levels. They also presented a significant decrease in Treg number, Treg-related cytokines (TGF-β 1), and Foxp3 mRNA levels as compared with normal persons. As a result, the Th17/Treg ratios were markedly more upregulated in OSAS patients than those in control group. Furthermore, the Th17/Treg ratio was positively related to the severity of OSAS and serum levels of C-reactive protein. The development of OSAS may be associated with peripheral Th17/Treg imbalance and characterized by a proinflammatory cytokine microenvironment. These results opened an alternative explanation for the substantial activation of immune cells in OSAS and the development of related complications.

Effects of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation on the imbalance of Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells following thoracotomy of patients with lung cancer

“…The identification of Th 17 and T reg cells progressed understanding of the mechanisms underlying immune dysfunction. An imbalance of Th 17 /T reg cells has been widely detected in human cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (9); however, to the best of our knowledge, it has yet to be associated with thoracotomy in patients with lung cancer.…”

Management and Risk Reduction of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Taiwan

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated elevated levels of circulating proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules in patients with OSA in comparison with those in matched control patients. 4,[9][10][11]26,27 In particular, the potent proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α has been evaluated by several case-control studies that have consistently shown elevated levels in patients with OSA compared with those in control patients. 4,9-11 TNF-α is the most influential inflammatory cytokine in the pathogenesis of RA, and the effectiveness of anti-TNF-α therapy has been demonstrated in RA.…”

CD4+T-lymphocyte subsets in nonobese children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

“…We have demonstrated a positive correlation of peripheral Th17/Treg ratio with the incidence of apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) in OSAS adults (6). HIF-1 is proved as a check point of Th17/Treg polarization (7).…”

“…PSG was conducted using the Embla-Monet 32 Sleep System (Embla, Broomfield, CO) and manually scored by a single registered technologist as described in our previous work (6,27,28). Hypopnea was defined as a decrease of ≥30% in thoracoabdominal motion associated with a fall in baseline oxygen saturation of >4%.…”