The aberrant expression of CD69 on peripheral T-helper cells in diet-induced inflammation is ameliorated by low-dose aspirin and metformin treatment

Abstract

Chronic inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with T-cell dysfunction. Using a rodent model, we evaluated changes in metabolic profiles, inflammation status and the expression of T-cell function markers following high-fat diet (HFD)-feeding. In addition, we assessed the modulatory effects of treatment with low-dose aspirin (LDA) and its combination with metformin (LDA + Met) on these parameters. Notably, HFD-feeding induced metabolic disorders and aggravated inflammation. Most importantly, it was associated with decreased expression of CD69 on T-helper cells but had no effect on the expression of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1). Treatment with LDA monotherapy had no effect on metabolic profiles. However, its combination with metformin ameliorated the levels of inflammation and up-regulated the expression of CD69 although it had no therapeutic effect on the levels of PD-1 expression. Therefore, alleviating inflammation and lowering glucose levels in T2D may be an effective strategy to improve T-cell function in these patients.

Keywords: CD69; Inflammation; Low-dose aspirin; Metformin; PD-1; T-cell regulation; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.