The role of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the pathogenesis of chronic abacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Abstract

To explore the role of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the pathogenesis of chronic abacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CAP/CPPS). Peripheral blood samples were collected from 45 CAP/CPPS patients and 18 healthy age-matched male persons. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated. The percentages of CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25high regulatory T cells were detected by flow cytometry. PCR was used to examine the mRNA expression of Foxp3, a transcription factor expressed in the CD4+CD25+ cells. ELISA was used to examine the plasma level of tumor growth factor (TGF)-beta1. There were no significant differences in the percentages of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25highT cells between the CAP/CPPS patients and normal control group (both P>0.05). The Foxp3 mRNA in the PBMCs of the CAP/CPPS IIIA and CAP/CPPS IIIB patients were (0.69+/-0.23) and (0.44+/-0.18) respectively, both significantly lower than that of the control group [(1.37+/-0.19), P<0.05]. The serum TGF-beta1 levels of the CAP/CPPS IIIA and CAP/CPPS IIIB patients were (18.09+/-10.45) pg/ml and (14.06+/-6.22) pg/ml respectively, both significantly lower than that of the control group [(27.01+/-13.29) pg/ml, both P<0.05]. Not the number of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, but its defective function participates in the pathogenesis of CAP/CPPS. The Foxp3 gene and TGF-beta1 play important roles in the process of pathogenesis of CAP/CPPS too.