Abstract
BACKGROUND: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a systemic auto-immune condition characterized by diverse and distinctive inflammation, affecting both musculoskeletal and extra-articular systems. This study aims to investigate the role of regulatory T-cells (Tregs), specifically the CD4+CD25+/high CD127-/low subset, in PsA pathogenesis, and their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a case-control study involving 40 PsA patients and 25 healthy individuals, CD4+ CD25+/high CD127-/low Tregs were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using flow cytometry. Disease activity was assessed using the Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) score. RESULTS: We observed a significant positive correlation between Treg levels and the DAPSA score (P = 0.02) in non-treated PsA patients. Additionally, patient age showed a significant positive correlation with erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the same group (P = 0.04), emphasizing the potential influence of Tregs on disease activity and age-related effects on inflammatory markers in PsA. CONCLUSION: While not revealing significant differences in Treg populations, our research underscores the importance of considering specific Treg subsets in PsA. These subsets may respond differently to disease micro-environments and treatments, affecting disease progression. This study contributes to the broader comprehension of immune dysregulation in auto-immune diseases and suggests that further investigation into Treg subsets' function and count is warranted. Such insights may lead to more tailored therapeutic approaches for PsA patients.