CD45 isoforms expression on CD4+ and CD8+ peripheral blood T-lymphocytes is related to auto-immune processes and hematological manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus.
We investigated whether, in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the CD45 isoforms expression on peripheral blood T-lymphocytes (T-PBL) is related to the auto-immune processes and hematological manifestations. The CD45RA/RO patterns of CD4+ and CD8 bright+ T-PBL were determined by three-colour flow cytometry. The serum levels of anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-double stranded DNA (ds DNA) and anti-cardiolipin (CL) autoantibodies were quantified by ELISA. The hematological parameters were routinely assessed. 72% of SLE patients (n = 29) had reduced lymphocyte counts, which correlated with more severe physician's assessment of disease activity, increased ANA and anti-ds DNA auto-antibodies. The lymphopenia preferentially affected the CD4+ T-PBL and, among them, the "naive" CD45RA+, RO- cells. Thus, compared with healthy women (n = 29), SLE patients had less naive and more "transient" CD45RA+, RO+ cells among CD4+ T-PBL. Meanwhile, on average, the CD45 isoforms expression on CD8+ T-PBL was unchanged. Interestingly, in 3 patients who were repeatedly evaluated, increases of transient CD8+ T-PBL paralleled the elevation of anti-ds DNA. In addition, high anti-CL was associated with more transient CD4+ and CD8+ T-PBL. The loss of naive and increase of transient CD8+ T-PBL was associated with increased disease activity and possibly hemolytic anemia. Thus, in SLE, the enhanced phenotypic switch from naive CD45RA+, RO- to "memory" CD45RO+ T-PBL patterns paralleled the auto-immune processes characteristic of this disease.
Neidhart
M
M
Department of Rheumatology, Zurich University Hospital, Zurich.
Pataki
F
F
Michel
B A
BA
Fehr
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015551:Autoimmunity; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D004247:DNA; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens