Higher percentages of T regulatory cells in children at risk for developing type 1 diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION: The natural history of type 1 diabetes is concerned with the appearance of autoantibodies against antigens of pancreatic beta cells. The last decade revealed some evidence of the participation of T regulatory lymphocytes - cells which suppress immune response - in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes and prediabetes. AIM OF THE STUDY: was the assessment of T regulatory cells in the blood of children at risk for developing type 1 the diabetes mellitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 85 subjects, siblings of children with type 1 diabetes, were enrolled into the study. The presence of anti-GAD65 antibodies was assessed. With the use of flow cytometry the following cell subpopulations were noted: CD4+, CD4+CD25high and CD4+CD25highCD127low with the coexpression of: CD28, CD45RO, CD54, CD62L and CD134 molecules. RESULTS: We did not observe any differences in white blood cell count, lymphocyte (including CD4+) count and the percentage between the examined and control groups. We noted higher percentages of T regulatory cells: CD4+CD25high, CD4+CD127low and CD4+CD25highCD127low in children with the presence of anti-GAD65 antibodies as compared to the control children. CONCLUSION: Higher percentages of T regulatory cells in the blood of children with the presence of anti-GAD65 antibodies may suggest an intensive regulatory response present in patients at risk for developing type 1 diabetes.