Th2 predominance and decreased NK cells in patients with hereditary angioedema

BackgroundIn this study we included patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) caused by decreased levels of C1 inhibitor (HAE-C1INH). An increased risk of autoimmune disorders, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), has been reported in HAE-C1INH. This suggests that complement consumption...

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Main Authors: Linda Sundler Björkman, Evelina Elmér, Arne Egesten, Lillemor Skattum
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1536128/full
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author Linda Sundler Björkman
Evelina Elmér
Evelina Elmér
Arne Egesten
Lillemor Skattum
Lillemor Skattum
author_facet Linda Sundler Björkman
Evelina Elmér
Evelina Elmér
Arne Egesten
Lillemor Skattum
Lillemor Skattum
author_sort Linda Sundler Björkman
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundIn this study we included patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) caused by decreased levels of C1 inhibitor (HAE-C1INH). An increased risk of autoimmune disorders, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), has been reported in HAE-C1INH. This suggests that complement consumption affects adaptive immunity.ObjectiveTo investigate lymphocyte subpopulations in relation to disease activity and complement activation in HAE-C1INH patients and matched controls.MethodsFlow cytometry of peripheral blood lymphocyte populations, measurements of complement and complement fragments, and collection of clinical data.ResultsNK cell counts were lower in HAE-C1INH patients, and their frequencies were related to disease activity. The T helper (Th) cell balance was skewed towards more Th2 cells and less Th1 cells in HAE-C1INH patients compared to controls. There were also lower frequencies of class-switched B cells and plasmablasts in patients. Levels of C4 and the complement activation fragment C3d were related to disease activity.ConclusionsBlood lymphocyte populations are altered in HAE-C1INH, a finding which may be of pathophysiological importance considering the increased risks of both autoimmunity and allergy associated with HAE-C1INH.
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spelling doaj-art-702489aba0154e85b8d0bf3e6d870adc2025-08-20T02:31:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-05-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15361281536128Th2 predominance and decreased NK cells in patients with hereditary angioedemaLinda Sundler Björkman0Evelina Elmér1Evelina Elmér2Arne Egesten3Lillemor Skattum4Lillemor Skattum5Respiratory Medicine, Allergology & Palliative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, Lund, SwedenDivision of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, SwedenDepartment of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, SwedenRespiratory Medicine, Allergology & Palliative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, Lund, SwedenDepartment of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, SwedenDivision of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, SwedenBackgroundIn this study we included patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) caused by decreased levels of C1 inhibitor (HAE-C1INH). An increased risk of autoimmune disorders, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), has been reported in HAE-C1INH. This suggests that complement consumption affects adaptive immunity.ObjectiveTo investigate lymphocyte subpopulations in relation to disease activity and complement activation in HAE-C1INH patients and matched controls.MethodsFlow cytometry of peripheral blood lymphocyte populations, measurements of complement and complement fragments, and collection of clinical data.ResultsNK cell counts were lower in HAE-C1INH patients, and their frequencies were related to disease activity. The T helper (Th) cell balance was skewed towards more Th2 cells and less Th1 cells in HAE-C1INH patients compared to controls. There were also lower frequencies of class-switched B cells and plasmablasts in patients. Levels of C4 and the complement activation fragment C3d were related to disease activity.ConclusionsBlood lymphocyte populations are altered in HAE-C1INH, a finding which may be of pathophysiological importance considering the increased risks of both autoimmunity and allergy associated with HAE-C1INH.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1536128/fullhereditary angioedemaadaptive immunityNK cellsT helper 2 cellscomplement activation
spellingShingle Linda Sundler Björkman
Evelina Elmér
Evelina Elmér
Arne Egesten
Lillemor Skattum
Lillemor Skattum
Th2 predominance and decreased NK cells in patients with hereditary angioedema
Frontiers in Immunology
hereditary angioedema
adaptive immunity
NK cells
T helper 2 cells
complement activation
title Th2 predominance and decreased NK cells in patients with hereditary angioedema
title_full Th2 predominance and decreased NK cells in patients with hereditary angioedema
title_fullStr Th2 predominance and decreased NK cells in patients with hereditary angioedema
title_full_unstemmed Th2 predominance and decreased NK cells in patients with hereditary angioedema
title_short Th2 predominance and decreased NK cells in patients with hereditary angioedema
title_sort th2 predominance and decreased nk cells in patients with hereditary angioedema
topic hereditary angioedema
adaptive immunity
NK cells
T helper 2 cells
complement activation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1536128/full
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