Published online Apr 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i15.2455
Revised: November 2, 2005
Accepted: November 18, 2005
Published online: April 21, 2006
AIM: To investigate the changes of lymphocyte subpopulations, especially CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells in Smad3-/- mice.
METHODS: Hematological changes and changes of lymphocyte subpopulations were detected in Smad3-/- mice using cell counter and flow cytometry, respectively, and compared to their littermate controls.
RESULTS: The numbers of neutrophils and lymphocytes in peripheral blood were significantly increased in Smad3-/- mice compared to littermate controls. CD19+ expressing cells in blood and spleen, and CD8+ T cells in thymus were all markedly decreased in Smad3-/- mice. More important, Smad3-/- mice had an increased population of CD4+CD25+ T cells in peripheral lymphoid tissues, including thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes.
CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that the changes of lymphocyte subpopulations might play a role in susceptibility to inflammation of Smad3-/- mice.