The relationship between T CD4+ cells count and IL-17, IL-11 serum level in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disorder characterized by a low platelet count; because of anti platelet auto-antibodies. ITP patients have auto antibodies against platelet antigens. T CD4+ lymphocytes are effective cells in immune system that has an important role in auto reactive antibody production and class switching. The pathophisiology and mechanism of ITP is complex and unknown. Numerous studies have difference results about role of T cells in ITP patients. T lymphocytes have been characterized to different subsets. To further investigate about the pathogenesis of ITP, we studied the role of T CD4+ cells and cytokines attributed with platelet count. Therefore, in this research, we evaluated T CD4+ lymphocytes count and interleukin 17 (IL-17), interleukin 11 (IL-11) levels in ITP in comparison with control. In a case-control study, we have studied 60 patients with ITP and 50 normal individuals as the control group. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by ficoll histopaque 1.077. T CD4+ cells count in ITP patients and control subjects were studied by flow cytometry method and serum interleukin 17 (IL-17), interleukin 11 (IL-11) concentration were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. All data were expressed as mean±SD. Differences between means were considered significant at the P< 0.05. Tests were performed using SPSS software version 16. This study showed, T CD4+ cells and plasma IL-17 concentration were not significantly different between patients with ITP and the control group. But plasma IL-11 levels were significantly increased in immune thrombocytopenic purpura patients in comparison with controls (P= 0.031). In summary, our study indicated a role of IL-11 in ITP patients, also showed that ITP may not be associated with changes of plasma IL-17 levels and T CD4+ cells count relative to control population. Therefore, measurement of plasma IL-11 levels may be important criteria in development of ITP. In addition, it is concluded that determination of IL-11 can be a diagnostic marker to recognize thrombocytopenic purpura patients.