The role of TH22 cells in the engraftman process at hematopoi̇etic stem cell transplantati̇on

Objective: Th22 cells, a subtype of CD4+ T cells, secreting IL-22 have been reported to play role in infection, chronic inflammation, tumor development, autoimmune disease pathogenesis and cell development. The role and number of carrying cells in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is unknown. In this study, the number of cells carrying IL-22, IL-17A, TNF-α and IFN-ꙋ were studied before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and during engraftment. Method: The cells; following stimulation with PMA, ionomycin and monensin, CD3 and CD4 double positive T cells in the patient and control groups; absolute lymphocyte counts carrying IL-22, IL-17A, TNF-α and IFN-ꙋ were determined by flow cytometry. Results: In the patient group, the absolute lymphocyte counts carrying IL-22, IL-17A, TNF-α and IFN-ꙋ were found statistically lower compared with control group. This was similar during the engraftment period as well. On the other hand, there was no statistically difference between day 0 (at stem cell infusion day) and engraftment period in terms of IL-22, IL-17A, TNF-α and IFN-ꙋ cytokine bearing cells in the patient group. Conclusion: In our study, decreased levels of cytokines such as IL-22, IL-17A, TNF-α and IFN-ꙋ by the impact of conditioning regimen performing before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were not improved during the engraftment period and cytokine bearing cell count remained similar. Further prospective studies are needed in this regard.