Prevalence, clinical relevance and characterization of circulating cytotoxic CD4+CD28- T cells in ankylosing spondylitis.
Circulating CD3+CD4+CD28- cells exhibit reduced apoptosis and were found to be more enriched in patients with ankylosing spondylitis than in age-matched healthy control individuals (7.40 +/- 6.6% versus 1.03 +/- 1.0%; P < 0.001). Levels of CD4+CD28- T cells correlate with disease status as measured using a modified metrology score, but they are independent of age and duration of ankylosing spondylitis. CD4+CD28- T cells produce IFN-gamma and perforin, and thus they must be considered proinflammatory and cytotoxic. These T cells share phenotypic and functional properties of natural killer cells, strongly expressing CD57 but lacking the lymphocyte marker CD7. MHC class I recognizing and activating natural killer cell receptors on the surface of CD4+CD28- T cells may be involved in a HLA-B27 mediated co-stimulation of these proinflammatory and cytotoxic cells.
Duftner
Christina
C
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Goldberger
Christian
C
Falkenbach
Albrecht
A
Würzner
Reinhard
R
Falkensammer
Barbara
B
Pfeiffer
Karl P
KP
Maerker-Hermann
Elisabeth
E
Schirmer
Michael
M
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D014162:Transfection
D018106:CD28 Antigens; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen