Decreased T helper 17 cells in tuberculosis is associated with increased percentages of programmed death ligand 1, T helper 2 and regulatory T cells

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. During active tuberculosis, T helper (Th) 17 cells are decreased, however the association with inhibitory immune regulation is unclear. METHODS: We enrolled 27 patients with TB and 20 age- and sex-matched controls and studies their lymphocyte status. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated and programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) were measured on Th17 cells by using flow cytometry after the cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin for 6 h. In addition, Th2 and regulatory T cells were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: The TB group had lower levels of Th17 cells but higher levels of Th2 and Treg cells than the controls. In Th17 cells, the percentage of PD-L1 was higher in the TB group than that in the controls. In Th2 and Treg cells, the percentage of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) was lower in the TB group and PD-1 was higher in Treg cells in the TB group. In the patients with extra-pulmonary TB, levels of Th1, Th2 and T17 cells were lower than those with pulmonary TB. The percentage of PD-1 on Th1 lymphocytes positively correlated with radiographic score. CONCLUSIONS: Lower level of Th17 in TB patients may be associated with increased percentage of PD-L1 and increasing levels of Th2 and Treg cells which influenced by CTLA-4. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12931-017-0580-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.