Role of regulatory T cells and regulatory B cells in pathogenesis of occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis due to trichloroethylene

Objective To study the characteristics of regulatory T cells and regulatory B cells in peripheral blood of patients with occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis due to trichloroethylene.

Methods The CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells (CD4⁺CD25⁺Tregs) and CD19⁺CD24⁺CD27⁺ regulatory B cells (CD19⁺CD24⁺CD27⁺Bregs) in peripheral blood of 15 patients were detected with flow cytometry at their acute stage and the clinical cure stage, respectively, and were compared with that of 15 healthy controls without any exposure to trichloroethylene.

Results At acute stage, the patients' ratios of CD4⁺CD25⁺Tregs (0.99%±0.55%) and CD19⁺CD24⁺CD27⁺Bregs (7.86%±2.35%) in peripheral blood were significantly decreased compared with that of control persons(P < 0.01). At cured stage, their ratios of CD4⁺CD25⁺Tregs (2.54%±0.42%) and CD19⁺CD24⁺CD27⁺Bregs (23.28%±8.62%)were recovered compared with that at acute stage(P < 0.01), but still lower than that of the control persons(P < 0.01).

Conclusion Regulatory T cells and regulatory B cells of patients were significantly decreased and could be improved after treatment. These indicated that regulatory T cells, regulatory B cells were also involved in the pathogenesis of occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis due to trichloroethylene.