title: Selective loss of the CD4+ inducers of suppressor T cell subsets (2H4+) in active systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: We investigated 2H4+ and 4B4+ T cell subsets from the purified CD4+ helper/inducer and CD8+ suppressor/cytotoxic T cells in circulating blood of 15 patients with severe active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 6 patients with inactive SLE, 5 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and seven healthy controls. The percentage of the total CD4+ T cells increased and CD8+ T cells decreased in all patients with active SLE. Of interest, however, all the patients with active SLE and central nervous system (CNS) disease had a selective decrease in the percentage of CD4+ 2H4+ T cell subsets in circulating blood that is responsible for induction of the CD8+ suppressor T cells. This loss of the CD4+ 2H4+ T cells was accompanied by an increase in the CD4+ 4B4+ T cell subsets, that are the true helper/inducers providing help for B cell immunoglobulin production. A marked decrease in the CD4+ 2H4+ cell subsets in the circulating blood of all patients with severe active SLE and CNS disease is related with meaningful functional properties of the T cells in an abnormal immune system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, King Saud University, College of Medicine, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raziuddin
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nur
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Alwabel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015704:CD4 Antigens