ObjectiveTo study the changes of CD4⁺ T cell subsets and its effects on acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) in children with ARDS.

MethodsSixty-one children with ARDS were divided into the mild group(25 cases), moderate group(20 cases) and severe group(16 cases).At the same time, 61 healthy children were set as the control group.Flow cytometry was used to detect the total amount of T cells, regulatory T cells(Treg), Th17, proportion of Th1 and Th2 in CD4⁺ T cells in the peripheral blood of ARDS patients and control group.The major cytokines interferon-γ(IFN-γ), interleucin(IL-4), IL-17A and IL-17F in CD4⁺ T cell subsets were observed.

ResultsCompared with the control group, the total amount of T cells, number of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells and Treg cells, Th17/Treg ratio, and levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, IL-17A and IL-17F increased in ARDS children(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the levels of IL-4, Foxp3, IFN-γ, IL-17A and IL-17F were negatively correlated with prediatric critical illness scores in children with ARDS(P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe pattern of CD4⁺ T cell subsets is closely related to the pathogenesis of ARDS.The change of CD4⁺ T cell subsets promotes the development of ARDS, and forms an interactive inflammatory network.