Compelling evidence suggest a key role of immune system in the development and progression of
ischemic stroke. Although the balance between proinflammatory CD4 + T helper (Th)-1 lymphocytes, expressing
T-bet transcription factor, and anti-inflammatory Th2 cells expressing GATA3 seems to influence the outcome in experimental
stroke, the role of peripheral immune response in
acute stroke patients is poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the peripheral Th1/Th2 balance in acute atherothrombotic (ATHS) and
cardioembolic stroke (CES) patients and in age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Using flow cytometry, we analyzed the percentage of CD4 + T-bet + T cells and CD4 + GATA3 + T cells from peripheral blood of ATHS and CES patients (2,4 and 7 days after
stroke onset). Patients and controls were screened for infectious conditions, autoimmune, inflammatory, or cancerous diseases. On day 2 circulating CD4 + T-bet + T cells were significantly higher in
stroke patients compared to controls, and in ATHS compared to CES and controls. On day 7, we observed a significant increase of CD4 + T-bet + T cells in both ATHS and CES patients compared to baseline. No difference was observed in circulating CD4 + GATA3 + T cells among ATHS, CES patients, and controls. These data suggest that circulating CD4 + T-bet + T cells could be useful marker indicating atherothrombotic genesis of
stroke and provide new insight into the peripheral adaptive immune response in
acute stroke.