CCR4-Positive T Cells in Patients with Asthma are Modulated by Suplatast Tosilate (IPD)

Abstract

Background & Aims : CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) appears to serve as a useful marker for the identification of circulating type 1 T helper cells (Th1), whereas CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) is a useful marker for circulating Th2 cells. Suplatast tosilate (IPD) is a Th2 cytokine inhibitor that decreases IgE antibody levels through specific inhibition of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5 production by T cells. We examined the effects of IPD on CXCR3-or CCR4-positive cells among CD4 and CD45RO double-positive T cells (CD4-positive memory T cells) in patients with asthma. Methods : We analyzed the T cell subsets of 10 patients with stable mild asthma before and after 4 weeks of treatment with IPD (300mg/day) in a prospective single-arm study. Results : The number of CXCR3-positive and CCR4-positive memory T cells was measured by flow cytometry. There was no significant increase of CXCR3-positive T cells in the asthma patients, but the patients showed a decrease of CCR4-positive T cells and an increase in the ratio of CXCR3-positive to CCR4-positive T cells. Conclusions : These findings indicate that IPD therapy altered the balance between CXCR3-and CCR4-positive cells in patients with asthma.