Abstract
Background: Post-streptococcal autoimmune inflammation of basal ganglia was suggested to be an etiological factor in some cases of Tourette syndrome (TS). Since regulatory T (T reg) cells play a major role in preventing autoimmunity, we hypothesized that a defect in T reg cells may be present in children with TS. We also postulated that group A beta hemolytic streptococcal infections could promote autoimmune responses by releasing exotoxins (streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins [SPE]). Methods: We analyzed peripheral blood of TS patients and healthy age-matched control subjects by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) on multiple occasions and determined the numbers of CD4+CD25+CD69- T reg cells. Further, we quantified the number of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes with regard to Vbeta chains to which SPEs are known to bind. Results: A significant decrease in T reg cells was observed in patients with moderate to severe TS symptoms compared with healthy age-matched control children. A decrease in T reg cell number was also noted during symptom exacerbations in five out of six patients. Further, we found a significant decrease in numbers of CD8+Vbeta18+ T cells in moderate to severe TS patients. Conclusions: These data support our hypothesis that at least some TS patients may have a decreased capacity to inhibit autoreactive lymphocytes through a deficit in T reg cells. Interactions of host T cell immunity and microbial factors may also contribute to the pathogenesis of TS.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 273-278 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Biological Psychiatry |
Volume | 61 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Tourette syndrome
- autoimmunity
- regulatory T lymphocytes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biological Psychiatry