The relationship between Th1/Th2-type cells and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the imbalance of Th1/Th2-type cytokines in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its relation to disease activity.


METHODS
Intracellular cytokines were determined by flow-cytometry following whole-blood culture.


RESULTS
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) > 10 had statistically significantly fewer CD4+ or CD8+ T cells producing IFN-gamma than patients with SLEDAI = 0, SLEDAI 1-10 or healthy controls (P < 0.01, P < 0.01 or P < 0.05, respectively). Patients with SLEDAI > 10 also had decreased ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 positive CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, compared with patients with SLEDAI = 0, SLEDAI 1-10 or healthy controls (P < 0.05). The decreased Th1 or Tc1 cells and the ratios of IFN-gamma: IL-4 positive CD4+ T-cells were significantly correlated with disease activity (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
SLE is characterized by an imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 cytokines. The decreased Th1 or Tc1 cells and the Th1/Th2 ratio are related to disease activity.
Chen
S
S
Department of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200001, China.
Hu
D
D
Shi
X
X
Shen
N
N
Gu
Y
Y
Bao
C
C
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma