Expression levels of CXC chemokine receptors 3 are associated with clinical phenotype of type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is recognized as one of T helper 1 cell (Th1)-mediated diseases. The purpose of this article was to investigate the expression levels of CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) and CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) on CD4 T cells as Th1 markers in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes and control subjects. A total of 72 patients with type 1 diabetes and 24 healthy subjects were enrolled. Their peripheral mononuclear cells were obtained and stained with anti-CXCR3, anti-CCR5, and anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies. Flow-cytometric analysis was performed and patients were classified according to their onset pattern as fulminant, typical, or slow onset. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA. CXCR3 expression on CD4 T cells in patients with a fulminant pattern of onset was significantly lower than that in the other groups, and that in patients with a typical pattern of onset was significantly higher than that in the other groups. CCR5 expression on CD4 T cells was not different among the three clinical phenotypes. CXCR3 expression level is associated with the onset pattern of type 1 diabetes. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of chemokines in type 1 diabetes.