Transcription Factor and Cytokine Profiles in Peripheral Blood T Helper Cells in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe lung disease with a poor prognosis, characterized by immune cell activation. The role of T helper (Th) cell transcription factors in IPF pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we investigated Th cell transcription factors and related cytokines in IPF patients. Twelve IPF patients and eight healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this pilot study. Serum levels of fibrosis-associated mediators (Interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), tumor growth factor-β (TGF-β), CXCL-8, interferon-γ (IFN-γ)) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry assessed Th transcription factors T box transcription factor (T-bet,), GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3), Retinoic acid-related orphan recepto (ROR-γt), forkhead box P3 (FOXP3)) and intracellular cytokines (IL-4, IL-17). SerumTGF-β, CXCL-8, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were significantly elevated, while IP-10 (pT-bet, GATA3, ROR-γt, or FOXP3 were observed. Positive correlations were found between T-bet and GATA3, IL-4, ROR-γt, and TNF-α expression with age, while FOXP3 expression negatively correlated with age. T-cell transcription factors were unchanged in IPF despite changes in inflammatory protein expression. Reduced IP-10 may serve as a potential marker.