Decreased gene expression of interleukin 2 receptor subunit γ (CD132) in tissues of patients with Crohn's disease.

Background: A deficiency of γδ T cells has been described in Crohn's disease (CD).

Aim: To analyze the gene expression of interleukin 7 (IL-7) and its receptors in the tissues of patients with CD.

Methods: We studied the peripheral blood of 80 patients with CD, comparing them with a group of 80 healthy subjects. The number and apoptosis of αβ and γδ T cells in peripheral blood and the proportion of αβ and γδ T cells in the intestinal tissues of patients with CD ( = 25) were studied. The gene and protein expression of IL-7, IL-2 receptor subunit γ [cluster of differentiation 132 (CD132)], receptor α (CD127), and caspase-3 in tissues was analyzed by quantitative PCR. Serum IL-7 levels were also analyzed.

Results: In patients with CD, a decreased number of γδ T cells and an increase in the apoptosis of CD56+ αβ and γδ T cells in peripheral blood was observed ( < 0.0001 and < 0.01) respectively, and there was an inverse correlation among T subsets and their apoptosis. In addition, IL-7 gene expression and IL-7 protein in the tissues of these patients were increased. The titers of caspase-3 in tissues were low control group ( > 0.01). The percentage of CD8+γδ T cells decreased in tissues ( < 0.01), and was directly related to IL-7 levels in peripheral blood. The expression of IL-2 receptor subunit γ (CD132) was greatly decreased in the tissues of patients with CD ( < 0.05).

Conclusion: There may be a cause-effect relationship between the lower gene expression of the IL-2 receptor subunit γ (CD132) in tissues of patients with CD and γδ T cells immunodeficiency.