Evaluation of percentage of regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of sulfur mustard-exposed in comparison with healthy individuals

  Regulatory T cells (Treg) are the subgroups of lymphocytes that control inflammation response and regulates homeostasis by mechanisms of cellular contact and secretion of soluble agents. Here, we investigated percentage of Treg in peripheral blood of sulfur mustard-exposed patients with CD4, CD25, CD127, FOXP3 markers in comparison with healthy individuals and the correlation between these cells and long-term pulmonary complications.

In this study, 12 sulfur mustard-exposed patients and 12 healthy volunteers were invited. Clinical inspections of both groups were done by pulmonary specialists as well as spirometric evaluation that was conducted by pulmonary function test operators. After isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the percentage of Treg cells was determined by flow cytometry.

Percentage of Treg cells was not significantly different in those exposed to sulfur mustard. Also, there was no significant correlation between spirometric parameters and percentage of these cells.

According to the current study, there is no difference in the percentage of Treg cells between exposed patients with mild pulmonary complications and healthy volunteers and more studies are needed to understand the role of these cells in the pulmonary complications of these patients.