Cytokine profile and lymphocyte subsets in type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) is a metabolic disease with inflammation as an important pathogenic background. However, the pattern of immune cell subsets and the cytokines profile linked to T2D development is not clear. The objective of this study was to evaluate different components of the immune system in T2D patients' peripheral blood by quantifying the frequency of lymphocyte subsets and intracellular pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production by T cells. Clinical data and blood samples were collected from 22 men with T2D and 20 years of age and sex-matched nonsmoking control subjects. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), high-sensitivity CRP concentration, and lipid profile were measured by a commercially available automated system. Frequencies of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood and intracellular production of IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-±- and IFN-³ cytokines byCD3+ T cells were assessed by flow cytometry. No differences were observed in thefrequency of CD19+ B cells, CD3+CD8+ and CD3+CD4+T cells, CD16+56+ NK cells and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T regulatory cells in T2D patients when compared to control subjects.The numbers of IL-10- and IL-17-producing CD3+ T cells were significantly higher in patients with T2D than in controls (p<0.05). The frequency of IFN-³ producing CD3+ T cells was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r=0.59; p=0.01). In conclusion, this study demonstrated increased numbers of circulating IL-10- and IL-17-producing CD3+ T cells in T2D patients, suggesting that these cytokines may be involved in the immune pathology of the disease. (AU)