Increased numbers of Foxp3-positive regulatory T cells in gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma

AIM: To determine the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in gastric mucosa of patients with gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of gastric antrum biopsy specimens from healthy controls (n = 22) and patients with gastritis (n = 30), peptic ulcer (n = 83), or gastric cancer (n = 32). Expression of CD4, CD25 and Foxp3 was determined by immunohistochemistry in three consecutive sections per sample. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, there was an increased number of CD25(+) and Foxp3(+) cells in patients with gastritis (P = 0.004 and P = 0.008), peptic ulcer (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001), and gastric cancer (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). The ratio of CD25(+)/CD4(+) or Foxp3(+)/CD4(+) cells was also significantly higher in all disease groups (P < 0.001, respectively). The number of CD4(+), CD25(+), and Foxp3+ cells, and the ratio of CD25(+)/CD4(+) and Foxp3(+)/CD4(+) cells, were associated with the histological grade of the specimens, including acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, lymphoid follicle number, and Helicobacter pylori infection. The number of CD4(+), CD25(+) and Foxp3(+) cells, and the ratio of CD25(+)/CD4(+) and Foxp3(+)/CD4(+) cells, were negatively associated with intestinal metaplasia among gastritis (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.002 and P = 0.002) and peptic ulcer groups (P = 0.013, P = 0.004, P < 0.001, P = 0.040 and P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Tregs are positively associated with endoscopic findings of gastroduodenal diseases and histological grade but negatively associated with intestinal metaplasia in gastritis and peptic ulcer groups. (C) 2012 Baishideng. All rights reserved.