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Modulation of immune cells and Th1/Th2 cytokines in insulin-treated type 2 diabetes mellitus


Magloire Pandoua Nekoua
Rufine Fachinan
Amidou K Atchamou
Odilon Nouatin
Daniel Amoussou-Guenou
Marcellin K Amoussou-Guenou
Kabirou Moutairou
Akadiri Yessoufou

Abstract

Background: The role of the immune system in insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes has been suggested.
Objectives: We assessed the profile of Th1/Th2 cytokines along with the  frequencies of immune cells in insulin-treated type 2 diabetic patients (T2DP).
Methods: 45 T2D patients and 43 age-matched healthy subjects were selected. Serum concentrations of T-helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines and the  frequencies of innate and adaptive immunity cells were assessed.
Results: T2DP were hyperglycemic and showed high level of insulin, normal levels of triglycerides and total-cholesterol and without any change in   HDL-cholesterol.Compared to healthy subjects, T2DP exhibited significant decreased frequencies of neutrophils, without any change in monocytes, eosinophils and natural killer cells. The percentages of total lymphocytes (CD3+) and  CD8+-T-cells decreased whereas those of regulatory T-cells increased without any change in CD4+ T-cells in T2DP. Interestingly, the frequencies of effector CD4+-T and B-cells increased in T2DP. Serum concentrations of IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-4
decreased while IL-10 significantly enhanced in T2DP, suggesting a differentiation of CD4+T helper cells towards IL-10-producing- Teff-cells in these patients.
Conclusion: Insulin-treated type 2 diabetes is associated with anti-inflammatory profile consistent with differentiation of CD4+-Th-cells towards IL-10-producing-Teff-cells, concomitant with increased frequencies of Treg and B-cells, and this may
probably offer prevention against certain infections or autoimmune/inflammatory diseases.


Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, Insulin, Immune cells, Th1/Th2 polarization.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1729-0503
print ISSN: 1680-6905