Comparison of the ratio and activity of 17 helper T cells (th17) to regulatory T cells (Treg) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in normal and pulmonary hypertension patients

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the world in 2020. By measuring some inflammatory biomarkers in COPD patients with and without pulmonary hypertension and comparing them, this study attempts to introduce these biomarkers in predicting the development or absence of this complication. Materials and Methods: In this study, to compare the ratio of the number and activity of T helper 17 (Th17) cells to regulatory T cells (Treg) in COPD patients with high and normal pulmonary hypertension, five cc of blood-containing anticoagulant was obtained from 20 COPD patients with high pulmonary hypertension and 20 COPD patients with normal pulmonary hypertension for PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cell) isolation. Then, the ratio of Th17 to Treg number and activity was evaluated by flow cytometry. The functions of these cells were assessed by examining the production of cytokines and the expression of genes related to their function by ELISA and Real-time PCR, respectively. Results: Flow cytometry studies showed a decrease in the population of Treg cells and an increase in the population of Th17 cells in COPD patients with pulmonary hypertension (COPD-PH) compared to the group without PH and healthy controls. Also, the function of these cells through ELISA and Real-time PCR showed an increase in gene expression and production of inflammatory cytokines related to Th17 cells (IL-17, IL22, IL-23) and a decrease in cytokines related to Treg cells (IL-10, TGF-B, IL-35).