Innate-like T cells in children with sickle cell disease.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: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 innate-like T cell subsets so far. METHODS:Here 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 (??) T cells in a cohort of 39 children with sickle cell disease. RESULTS: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 MAIT cell counts with an increased frequency of IL-17-producing MAIT cells. Patients also presented increased V?2 ?? T cell counts, especially during vaso-occlusive crisis, and a lower frequency of IFN?-producing V?2 ?? T cells, except during crisis. iNKT cell counts and the frequency of IFN?-producing iNKT cells were unchanged compared to controls. Our study revealed positive correlations between 1) the frequency of IFN?-producing CD4+, CD8+ and V?2 ?? T cells and the number of hospitalizations for vaso-occlusive crisis in the previous year; 2) the frequency of IFN?-producing iNKT cells and patients' age and 3) the frequency of IL-17-producing V?2 ?? T cells and hemoglobin S level. CONCLUSION:These results strongly suggest a role of innate-like T cells in sickle cell disease pathophysiology, especially that of IL-17-producing MAIT and ?? T cells.

SUBMITTER: Allali S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6599217 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature