Relationship between CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cell ratio and T cell activation in multiple myeloma: reference to IL-16

Abstract 

We found that the ratio of CD4⁺ to CD8⁺ T cells (CD4/CD8 ratio) was decreased in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and that this decrease was significantly related to an increase of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression by CD8⁺ (but not CD4⁺) T cells (P<0.005). In addition, the serum level of interleukin (IL)-16 was significantly higher in stage III MM patients than in healthy controls (P<0.001). The decrease of CD4⁺ T cells in MM may be mediated by activation of CD8⁺ T cells derived cytokine IL-16. In addition, these T cell phenotypic changes and the IL-16 level appear to be useful indicators of disease activity.

HLA, human leukocyte antigen, MM, multiple myeloma, IL, interleukin, HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus, PBMC, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, FITC, fluorescein isothiocyanate, PE, phycoerythrin, PBS, phosphate-buffered saline, ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, BSA, bovine serum albumin, hIL-16, human IL-16, OD, optical density, MGUS, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, MLR, mixed lymphocyte reaction, HERV, human endogenous retroviruses

Multiple myeloma, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cell ratio, T cell activation, Interleukin-16