Effector Memory CD8+ and CD4+ T Cell Immunity Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Children

Purpose: We investigated the association of effector memory (EM) CD8(+) T cell and CD4(+) T cell immunity with metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: Surface and intracellular staining of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed. Anti-interleukin-7 receptor-alpha (IL-7R alpha) and CX3CR1 antibodies were used to stain the subsets of EM CD8+ T cells, while anti-interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) antibodies were used for CD4(+) T cell subsets. Results: Of the 47 obese children, 11 were female. Children with MS had significantly higher levels of serum insulin (34.8 +/- 13.8 vs. 16.4 +/- 6.3 mu U/mL, p<0.001) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (8.9 +/- 4.1 vs. 3.9 +/- 1.5, p<0.001) than children without MS. Children with MS revealed significantly higher frequencies of IL-7R alpha(low) CD8(+) T cells (60.1 +/- 19.1% vs. 48.4 +/- 11.5%, p=0.047) and IL-7R alpha(low)CX3CR1(+) CD8(+) T cells (53.8 +/- 20.1% vs. 41.5 +/- 11.9%, p=0.036) than children without MS. As the serum triglyceride levels increased, the frequency of IL-7R alpha(low)CX3CR1(+) and IL-7R alpha(high)CX3CR1(-) CD8(+) T cells increased and decreased, respectively (r=0.335, p=0.014 and r=-0.350, p=0.010, respectively), in 47 children. However, no CD4(+) T cell subset parameters were significantly different between children with and without MS. Conclusion: In obese children with MS, the changes in immunity due to changes in EM CD8(+) T cells might be related to the morbidity of obesity.

Automated summary

Obese children with metabolic syndrome (MS) showed higher levels of serum insulin and insulin resistance compared to those without MS. The frequency of EM CD8(+) T cell subsets was significantly higher in children with MS, while there were no significant differences in CD4(+) T cell subsets between the two groups.