Abstract
Behçet’s disease is an autoimmune type of vasculitis presenting by attacks of oral, skin and genital ulcers, as well as ophthalmic disorders that cause blindness in 25% of affected patients. Circulating T regulatory cells suppress atypical autoimmune responses and help developing immune self-tolerance. An X chromosome encoded forkhead transcription factor (Foxp3) is essential for proper T reg cell development and function. Aim of the work; The aim of the study was to determine the correlation between T reg cell percentage of expression, Behçet’s uveitis pathogenesis, and disease manifestations. Materials and Methods; Forty-four subjects were involved in this study: 15 subjects diagnosed with Behcet’s uveitis (including a female) in addition to 29 healthy age and sex-matched controls. The percentage of CD25 and Foxp3 expression in peripheral blood CD4+ T-lymphocytes was determined by flowcytometry. X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to assess patients with suspected Behcet’s arthritis.
Percentages of CD4+CD25−Foxp3+and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T reg cell expression were higher in Behcet’s uveitis patients compared to the controls without a significant difference. Conversely, CD4+CD25+Foxp3− T reg cell percentage was found to be higher in the controls than in Bechet’s uveitis cases without a significant difference. However, the mean fluorescence intensity of Foxp3 factor necessary for Treg cell function was significantly higher in the control group compared to Behcet’s uveitis cases (p = 0.02).
Results of the current work indicate the protective role played by T reg cells (especially the Foxp3+ group) against Behcet’s uveitis that could be used as a valuable prognostic marker.