Interleukin (IL)-22+CD4+T (Th22) cells play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases, although the role of Th22 cells remains largely unclear in children with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71). This study aims to explore the role of circulating IL-22+IL-17A-CD4+T (cTh22) cells in children with EV71-associated HFMD. We found that during the acute stage of illness, the frequencies of cTh22 and circulating IL-22+IL-17A+CD4+T (IL-22+cTh17) cells in CD4+T cells infrom affected patients, and especially in severely affected patients, were significantly higher than in healthy controls (HC). The major source of IL-22 production was cTh22 cells, partially from cTh17 cells. Moreover, the protein and mRNA levels of IL-22, IL-17A, IL-23, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly different among the mild patients, severe patients and HC, as well as AHR and RORγt mRNA levels. A positive correlation was found between plasma IL-22 levels and cTh22 cell frequencies, and cTh17 cell and IL-22+ cTh17 cell frequencies. Furthermore, the frequencies of cTh22 were significantly decreased in the convalescent patients. Our findings indicated that cTh22 cells could play critical roles in the pathogenesis of EV71 infection, and are potential therapeutic targets for patients with EV71-associated HFMD.
Keywords: EV71; HFMD; circulating Th17 cell; circulating Th22 cell.