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  • Title: Analysis of regulatory T-cell changes in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura receiving B cell-depleting therapy with rituximab.
    Author: Stasi R, Cooper N, Del Poeta G, Stipa E, Laura Evangelista M, Abruzzese E, Amadori S.
    Journal: Blood; 2008 Aug 15; 112(4):1147-50. PubMed ID: 18375792.
    Abstract:
    The effects of B-cell depletion with rituximab on regulatory T cells (Tregs) have not been determined. We investigated Tregs in patients receiving rituximab for chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The peripheral blood Tregs, identified as CD4+FOXP3+ T cells, were measured by flow cytometry prior to and after the immunotherapy. In addition, Tregs were analyzed for their usage of the T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-variable (VB) region gene as well as their regulatory function as assessed by cell proliferation assays. Pretreatment data revealed a reduced number and a defective suppressive capacity of Tregs in ITP patients compared with control individuals. In addition, Tregs showed a polyclonal spectratype. Patients, particularly responders, showed restored numbers of Tregs as well as a restored regulatory function upon treatment with rituximab. These results indicate that patients with active ITP have a defective T regulatory cell compartment that can be modulated by a B cell-targeted therapy.
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