Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of transfusion of necrotic cells on regulatory T (Treg) and Th17 cell balance in
septic mice. Method Thirty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomized into PBS group (n=5), sham-operated group (n=5), sepsis
group (n=12), and necrotic cell transfusion group (n=12) and subjected to intraperitoneal PBS injection, sham operation by
separating the cecum only, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and injection of 2 × 107 necrotic cells 5 days before CLP,
respectively. All the mice were sacrificed 2 weeks after CLP for analyzing the proportion of CD4+Foxp3+Treg cells and CD4+
IL17A+ Th17 cells in the peripheral blood, spleen and thymus by flow cytometry. Results The percentage of Th17 cells and Treg/
Th17 ratio in the spleen was significantly higher in CLP group than in the sham-operated group and PBS group (P<0.01). The
percentage of Treg cells in the thymus was significantly lower in CLP group than in the sham-operated group (P<0.01).
Pre-infusion of necrotic cells redressed the abnormality of Treg and Th17 cell percentages and Treg/Th17 imbalance in mice
following CLP (P<0.05). Conclusion Pre-infusion of necrotic cells can reverse Treg/Th17 imbalance in septic mice.