Background
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous group of primary antibody deficiencies defined by marked reductions in serum IgG, IgA and/or IgM levels and recurrent bacterial infections. Some patients are associated with defects in T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), resulting in recurrent viral infections and early-onset autoimmune disease.
Conclusions
Our results showed that 39% of patients with CVID had AI and reduced Tregs populations. Research in this area might provide noteworthy data to better understand immune dysfunction and dysregulation related to CVID.
Methods
We analyzed whether there is an association between Tregs cells (CD4+CD25+CD127low and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+); memory T cells (CD4+CD45RO+); memory B cells (CD19+CD27-IgD-); and CD21low B cells (CD19+CD38lowCD21low); as well as autoimmune manifestations in 36 patients with CVID (25 women and 11 men, mean age 24 years), all by flow cytometry.
Results
Fourteen patients presented with autoimmune diseases (AI) (39%), including 11 with autoimmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) (31%); two with vitiligo (6%); one with systemic lupus erythematosus (LES) (3%); and one with multiple sclerosis (MS) (3%). CVID patients with AI had a reduced proportion of Tregs (both CD4+CD25+CD127low and FoxP3+ cells) compared with healthy controls. CVID patients with AI had expanded CD21low B cell populations compared with patients who did not have AI. A correlation between increased CD4+CD45RO T cell populations and reduced Tregs was also observed. Conclusions: Our results showed that 39% of patients with CVID had AI and reduced Tregs populations. Research in this area might provide noteworthy data to better understand immune dysfunction and dysregulation related to CVID.