5-HT is associated with the dysfunction of regulating T cells in patients with allergic rhinitis

Gui Yang; Gaohui Wu; Wenkai Yao; Li Guan; Xiaorui Geng; Jiangqi Liu; Zhiqiang Liu; Liteng Yang; Qinmiao Huang; Xianhai Zeng; Pingchang Yang

doi:10.1016/j.clim.2022.109101

5-HT is associated with the dysfunction of regulating T cells in patients with allergic rhinitis

Clin Immunol. 2022 Oct:243:109101. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.109101. Epub 2022 Aug 24.

Authors

Gui Yang¹, Gaohui Wu², Wenkai Yao³, Li Guan², Xiaorui Geng⁴, Jiangqi Liu⁴, Zhiqiang Liu⁴, Liteng Yang², Qinmiao Huang⁵, Xianhai Zeng⁶, Pingchang Yang⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology, Longgang Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
² Departments of Respirology and Allergy, Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
³ Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen, China; Institute of Allergy & Immunology of Shenzhen University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases Allergy Division at Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
⁴ Department of Otolaryngology, Longgang E.N.T Hospital & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of E.N.T, Institute of E.N.T, Shenzhen, China.
⁵ Departments of Respirology and Allergy, Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address: hqmwwb@163.com.
⁶ Department of Otolaryngology, Longgang E.N.T Hospital & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of E.N.T, Institute of E.N.T, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address: xhzeng@163.com.
⁷ Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Shenzhen, China; Institute of Allergy & Immunology of Shenzhen University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases Allergy Division at Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address: pcy2356@szu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36029976
DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.109101

Abstract

The dysfunction of regulating T lymphocytes (Treg) is associated with the pathogenesis of many diseases. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is capable of interacting with immune cells. The objective of the present study is to shed light on the role of 5-HT in regulating Treg activities. Blood samples were collected from patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (AR). Tregs were isolated from blood samples by magnetic cell sorting. The levels of 5-HT and other cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that serum 5-HT levels in patients with AR were higher than in healthy control (HC) subjects. A positive correlation was identified in the data between 5-HT concentrations and AR-related cytokine concentrations in the serum. A negative correlation was found between serum levels of 5-HT and the peripheral frequency of Treg. Exposure to 5-HT enhanced the expression of IL-6 and IL-21 in dendritic cells (DC). Co-culture of 5-HT-primed DCs with Tregs led to the conversion of Th17 cells. STAT3 blockade efficiently abolished the 5-HT-associated conversion of Th17 cells from Tregs. In summary, patients with AR exhibited higher serum concentrations of 5-HT. 5-HT-primed DCs could convert Tregs to Th17 cells.

Keywords: 5-HT; Allergy; Dendritic cells; Nose; Regulatory T cells.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cytokines
Humans
Interleukin-6
Rhinitis, Allergic*
Serotonin*
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
Th17 Cells

Substances

Cytokines
Interleukin-6
Serotonin