CD4+ T-cell transcription factors as early predictors of phenoconversion in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder

In this datanote we present data from 31 iRBD (idiopathic Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep Behaviour Disorder) patients followed throughout three years to assess their eventual phenoconversion to Parkinson’s disease and other established neurodegenerative conditions. iRBD is a prodromal condition of neurological pathologies such as Parkinson’s disease. We evaluated transcription factor mRNA levels in CD4+ T cells as predictive biomarkers of phenoconversion in iRBD, showing that among the transcription factors mRNA levels analysed, STAT1, GATA3 and FOXP3 mRNA levels may be used to predict phenoconversion. In particular, we found that CD4+ T cells from converters had higher STAT1, and lower GATA3 and FOXP3 mRNA levels. According to ROC curve analysis STAT1 levels provided a good discrimination, GATA3 levels an excellent discrimination of future converters and not-converters, while discrimination provided by FOXP3 levels was acceptable.