CD4+ Regulatory and Effector/Memory T Cell Subsets Profile Motor Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease

Authors

Jessica A. Hutter Saunders, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Katherine A. Estes, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Lisa M. Kosloski, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Heather E. Allen, University of Alabama, Birmingham
Kathryn Dempsey Cooper, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Diego R. Torres-Russotto, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Jane L. Meza, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Pamela M. Santamaria
John M. Bertoni, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Daniel L. Murman, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Hesham Ali, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
David G. Standaert, University of Alabama, Birmingham
R. Lee Mosley, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Howard E. Gendelman, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2012

Publication Title

Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology

Volume

7

Issue

4

First Page

927

Last Page

938

Abstract

Animal models and clinical studies have linked the innate and adaptive immune system to the pathology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Despite such progress, the specific immune responses that influence disease progression have eluded investigators. Herein, we assessed relationships between T cell phenotype and function with PD progression. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from two separate cohorts, a discovery cohort and a validation cohort, totaling 113 PD patients and 96 age- and environment-matched caregivers were examined by flow cytometric analysis and T cell proliferation assays. Increased effector/memory T cells (Tem), defined as CD45RO+ and FAS+ CD4+ T cells and decreased CD31+ and α4β7+ CD4+ T cells were associated with progressive Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale III scores. However, no associations were seen between immune biomarkers and increased age or disease duration. Impaired abilities of regulatory T cells (Treg) from PD patients to suppress effector T cell function was observed. These data support the concept that chronic immune stimulation, notably Tem activation and Treg dysfunction is linked to PD pathobiology and disease severity, but not disease duration. The association of T cell phenotypes with motor symptoms provides fresh avenues for novel biomarkers and therapeutic designs.

Comments

© The Author(s) 2012. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com

Recommended Citation

Saunders, Jessica A. Hutter; Estes, Katherine A.; Kosloski, Lisa M.; Allen, Heather E.; Cooper, Kathryn Dempsey; Torres-Russotto, Diego R.; Meza, Jane L.; Santamaria, Pamela M.; Bertoni, John M.; Murman, Daniel L.; Ali, Hesham; Standaert, David G.; Mosley, R. Lee; and Gendelman, Howard E., "CD4+ Regulatory and Effector/Memory T Cell Subsets Profile Motor Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease" (2012). Interdisciplinary Informatics Faculty Publications. 26.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/interdiscipinformaticsfacpub/26