Anti-TNF rescue CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in patients with type 1 diabetes from effects mediated by TNF

The presence of low-grade chronic inflammation is a known feature of long standing diabetes type 1. The association between serum level of several markers of inflammation and severity of DM1 was proven. Serum concentrations of TNF were reported to be elevated in diabetic patients, especially those who developed diabetic complications. Lately, it has been also shown that TNF may impair the subset of naturally arising regulatory T cells, which control autoimmunity. The presented study, for the first time, shows the regulatory T cells in the context of an inflammatory environment that is present in patients with type 1 diabetes. It indicates that TNF reduces the number and frequency of regulatory CD4+Foxp3+ T cells in children with diabetes type 1 and that in vitro treatment with anti-TNF antibody seems to rescue this cell subset from its defective effects.

► We examined the influence of anti-TNF antibody and TNF on Treg subsets in DM1 patients in vitro.
► We analyzed CD4+Foxp3+ as well as CD4+Foxp3+CD62L+ and CD4+Foxp3+TNFR2+ Tregs.
► We found quantitative as well as qualitative differences after treatment with anti-TNF antibody and TNF.
► Anti-TNF antibody has positive impact on Treg subsets.
► Anti-TNF treatment could be considered as a potential therapy tool to treat diabetes.