Regulatory T-lymphocyte subsets in children with chronic immune thrombocytopenia after high-dose of dexamethasone

Faculty of Medicine

Assiut University

Regulatory T-lymphocyte subsets in children with chronic immune thrombocytopenia after high-dose of dexamethasone

Research Authors
Khalid Ibrahim Elsayh1, Khaled Saad1✉, Naglaa Samy Osman1, Khaled Hashim Mahmoud1, Faisal A. Ahmad1, Shaimaa M. Khalaf1, Noha G. Sayed2, Zeinab Albadry M. Zahran2, Aliaa M. A. Ghandour3, Amira A. Elhoufey4,5, Tamer Bedir6 and Asmaa Zahran7
Research Date
Research Department
Department of Pediatrics
Research File
paper 6.pdf
Research Journal
pediatric research
Research Member
Naglaa Samy Mohamed Osman
Khalid Ibrahim Abdel-Rahman El-Sayeh
Zeinab Al Badry Mohammed Zahran
Faisal Alkhateeb Ahmed Abd-Allah Tammam
Alia Mahmoud Ali Ahmed El-Ghandour
Research Vol
92
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-022-01978-0
Research Year
2022
Research_Pages
1432-6
Research Abstract

BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disease. This study’s objective was to estimate the
variations in the population of CD4+CD25+High FoxP3+ cells (CD4+ regulatory T-lymphocytes; Tregs) in previously untreated
children with chronic ITP managed in Assiut University Hospitals, as well as to evaluate the efficacy of high-dose dexamethasone
(HD-DXM) in these patients.
METHODS: In this study, we investigated the frequencies of T-lymphocyte subsets in 27 untreated children with chronic ITP.
RESULTS: Prior to treatment, the percentages of CD4+CD25High cells and Tregs were significantly lower in the chronic ITP group
compared to the control group (p = 0.018 and p < 0.0001, respectively). After treatment with HD-DXM, Tregs and platelets were
significantly increased in these patients (p < 0.0001 for both).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Tregs are deficient in children with chronic ITP and that HD-DXM immunosuppressive
therapy can restore the levels of these cells.