Quantification of regulatory T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
CD4+ T cells that constitutively express CD25 exhibit powerful suppressive properties. Such cells have been denominated regulatory T cells (T(R)). Alterations in T(R)cells are known to cause organ-specific autoimmune disease in animal models. The aim of this work was to quantify CD4+CD25+ T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Thirty untreated patients (ten with active disease) and ten healthy volunteers were studied. Flow cytometry was used to quantify cell populations. CD4+CD69+, CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25(bright) cells were considered. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures were performed and supernatants collected for IL-10 and 12 measurement. CD4+CD25+ cells were significantly decreased in patients with active disease when compared to control subjects and patients without disease activity (P<0.001). CD4+CD69+ cells were increased in patients with active disease when compared to controls (P=0.041). Accordingly, CD4+CD25(bright) cells were decreased in patients with active disease compared to healthy subjects (P<0.001). IL-12 production was hampered in cells from patients during periods of active disease when compared to healthy controls and patients during remission (P<0.001). We observed a correlation between decreased T(R)number and reduced IL-12 mononuclear cell production (r=0.362, P=0.05). This work demonstrates that CD4+CD25+ T cells are decreased in patients with clinically active SLE.
Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Tlalpan D.F.,14000, Mexico City, Mexico.
Jose C
JC
Crispin
Araceli
A
Martínez
Jorge
J
Alcocer-Varela
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000378:metabolism; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000737:chemistry; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D000099192:CD69 Antigens