Impairment of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T-cells in autoimmune liver disease.

Abstract

CD4(+) lymphocytes constitutively expressing the IL-2-receptor alpha-chain (CD25) regulate the activation of CD4 and CD8 autoreactive T-cells by suppressing their proliferation and effector function. The aim of this study is to: (1) measure the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+) T-cells (T-regs) in patients with autoimmune liver disease at presentation and during remission, (2) correlate their frequency with disease activity, (3) determine their ability to expand and (4) to inhibit interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) production by CD4(+)CD25- T-cells.