T-cell Activation And Dysfunction in Hyperglycaemia

Abstract

Although controversial, hyperglycaemia has been associated with immune dysregulation. We compared the expression of T-cell activation markers in Western Cape hyperglycaemic individuals with matched normoglycaemic controls. Sixty nine participants (86% being women) were included and screened for hyperglycaemia according to World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria. Standard multi-colour flow cytometry was used to measure expression of HLA-DR, CD38, CD95 and PD-1on T-cells at baseline and post incubation with 30mmol glucose. The results were compared and correlated with markers of glucose metabolism and inflammation. The 69 participants included 35 with normal glucose tolerance and 34 with hyperglycaemia. Antigen expression was similar between the two groups. However, after exposure to glucose the percentage of CD4 + T-cells expressing CD95 significantly decreased (p=0.03). There was no correlation with markers of glucose metabolism, but expression did correlate with C-reactive protein. This study in a modest sample group found no relationship between T-cell activation and glucose metabolism, suggesting that other factors such as obesity may be responsible for immune dysregulation. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.