Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 May 12;207(3):272-278.
doi: 10.1093/cei/uxab006.

Interferon-gamma and perforin-positive T cells in acquired aplastic anemia: implication in therapeutic response

Vandana Sharma  1 , Prabin Kumar  2 , Rajiv Kumar  3 , Sushmita Chakraborty  2 , Manju Namdeo  2 , Sudha Sazawal  1 , Uma Kanga  2 , Tulika Seth  1 , Dipendra Kumar Mitra  2
Affiliations

Interferon-gamma and perforin-positive T cells in acquired aplastic anemia: implication in therapeutic response

Vandana Sharma et al. Clin Exp Immunol. .

Abstract

Acquired aplastic anemia (aAA) is an autoimmune disease, characterized by infiltration of T lymphocytes in the bone marrow with destruction of hematopoietic stem cells by the effector cells. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and perforin are important mediators of cell destruction. In this flow cytometry-based study, we have investigated the percentage of intracellular IFN-γ+ and perforin+ CD5+ T cells in peripheral blood of newly diagnosed aAA patients before and after immunosuppressive therapy (IST). Patients were categorized as per standard disease severity and response to IST. The median percentage of IFN-γ+ and perforin+ CD5+ T cells was higher in untreated patients compared to healthy controls. The percentage of these cells was also increased in untreated severe and very severe aplastic anemia when compared with non-severe aplastic anemia patients. In patients before and after IST the median percentage of T cells producing IFN-γ and perforin was elevated in non-responders as compared to partial plus complete responders. The higher percentage of IFN-γ+ and perforin+ CD5+ T cells may be useful as an early diagnostic marker for aberrant activation of immune system and predict poor response to IST in aAA patients, who will benefit from alternative therapy.

Keywords: T cells; acquired aplastic anemia; immunosuppressive therapy; interferon-gamma; perforin.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Representative flow cytometry plots showing median percentage and absolute number of IFN-γ and perforin producing CD5 T cells in healthy controls, untreated NSAA, SAA, and VSAA patients.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Median percentage and absolute number of IFN-γ and perforin-positive CD5 T cells in healthy controls (pediatric and adult), untreated patients (pediatric and adult).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Representative flow cytometry plots illustrating the median percentage and absolute number of IFN-γ and perforin-positive CD5 T cells in NR, PR, and CR patients before and after starting IST.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Hemoglobin and platelet count before and after IST in PR and CR.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Young NS, Bacigalupo A, Marsh JC. Aplastic anemia: pathophysiology and treatment. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2010, 16, S119–25. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Kagan WA, Ascensão JA, Pahwa RN, et al. . Aplastic anemia: presence in human bone marrow of cells that suppress myelopoiesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1976, 73, 2890–4. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Zoumbos NC, Gascón P, Djeu JY, Trost SR, Young NS. Circulating activated suppressor T lymphocytes in aplastic anemia. N Engl J Med 1985, 312, 257–65. - PubMed
    1. Moebius U, Herrmann F, Hercend T, Meuer SC. Clonal analysis of CD4+/CD8+ T cells in a patient with aplastic anemia. J Clin Invest 1991, 87, 1567–74. - PMC - PubMed
    1. AlKhouri N, Ericson SG. Aplastic anemia: review of etiology and treatment. Hosp Physician 1999, 35, 46–52.

Publication types