| Objective To detect the proportion of CD4+ helper T cell (Th) subsets in peripheral blood monocyte cells of HIV/AIDS patients by multi-color flow cytometry. Methods The multi-color flow cytometry strategy was established by using 11 cell surface antibodies including CD3, CD4, CD8, 7-AAD, CD45RA, CCR7, CXCR5, CCR4, CCR6, CCR10 and CXCR3. Seven major Th cells were recognized, and the proportion of Th in peripheral blood from 15 HIV/AIDS patients and 15 healthy controls was analyzed. Results Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, Th22, T follicular helper cell and ThG analytical strategies were identified through the combination of different chemokine receptors. The detection results showed an elevated proportion of Th2 subset and decreased proportion of Th22 subset in HIV/AIDS patients, compared to healthy controls. Conclusions The established multi-color flow cytometric protocol by using surface markers can evaluate the proportions of multiple Th in peripheral blood conveniently and rapidly, which has small sample size, simple steps, stable results and precise quantitation. |