Abstract
BackgroundThe implication of lymphocytes in sickle cell disease pathogenesis is supported by a number of recent reports. These studies provided evidence for the activation of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in adult patients, but did not investigate the involvement of other innate-like T cell subsets so far.MethodsHere we present a monocentric prospective observational study evaluating the number and functional properties of both circulating conventional and innate-like T cells, namely iNKT, Mucosal-Associated Invariant T (MAIT) and gammadelta (γδ) T cells in a cohort of 39 children with sickle cell disease.ResultsRelative to age-matched healthy controls, we found that patients had a higher frequency of IL-13- and IL-17-producing CD4+ T cells, as well as higher MAIT cell counts with an increased frequency of IL-17-producing MAIT cells. Patients also presented increased Vδ2 γδ T cell counts, especially during vaso-occlusive crisis, and a lower frequency of IFNγ-producing Vδ2 γδ T cells, except during crisis. iNKT cell counts and the frequency of IFNγ-producing iNKT cells were unchanged compared to controls. Our study revealed positive correlations between 1) the frequency of IFNγ-producing CD4+, CD8+ and Vδ2 γδ T cells and the number of hospitalizations for vaso-occlusive crisis in the previous year; 2) the frequency of IFNγ-producing iNKT cells and patients’ age and 3) the frequency of IL-17-producing Vδ2 γδ T cells and hemoglobin S level.ConclusionThese results strongly suggest a role of innate-like T cells in sickle cell disease pathophysiology, especially that of IL-17-producing MAIT and γδ T cells.
Highlights
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common life-threatening genetic hemoglobin disorder affecting millions of people worldwide and characterized by chronic hemolysis, recurrent painful vasoocclusive events and progressive organ damage [1]
Relative to age-matched healthy controls, we found that patients had a higher frequency of IL-13- and IL-17-producing CD4+ T cells, as well as higher mucosalassociated invariant T (MAIT) cell counts with an increased frequency of IL-17-producing MAIT cells
Our study revealed positive correlations between 1) the frequency of IFNγ-producing CD4+, CD8+ and Vδ2 γδ T cells and the number of hospitalizations for vaso-occlusive crisis in the previous year; 2) the frequency of IFNγ-producing invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and patients’ age and 3) the frequency of IL-17-producing Vδ2 γδ T cells and hemoglobin S level
Summary
The implication of lymphocytes in sickle cell disease pathogenesis is supported by a number of recent reports. These studies provided evidence for the activation of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in adult patients, but did not investigate the involvement of other innatelike T cell subsets so far
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