[A pilot study of T cell vaccination in systemic lupus erythematosus].
OBJECTIVE
Autoreactive T cells play a critical role in pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Immunization with inactivated autoreactive T cells (T cell vaccination) may activate the idiotype anti-idiotypic network to deplete specific subsets of autoreactive T cells involved in SLE. We conducted a pilot clinical trial of T cell vaccination to investigate the efficiency and safety of T cell vaccination in treatment of SLE.


METHODS
Autoreactive T cell clones were derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 6 SLE patients. After irradiated with 80 Gy gamma radiation, 1 x 10(7) T cells were inoculated subcutaneously at 0, 2, 6, 8 week respectively. The patients were followed up for 20-27 months, and monitored for clinical characteristics and side effects from the vaccination.


RESULTS
The clinical manifestations and laboratory abnormalities were improved after inoculation without increasing the dose of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants in most patients. SLEDAI score were decreased remarkably. Proliferative responses against the T cell vaccine were observed in 4/6 patients. No side effect was noticed and CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell were all in normal ranges after the vaccination and during the follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this pilot study indicate that T cell vaccination is a safe and effective treatment in SLE patients.
Mu
Rong
R
Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, People's Hospital, Peking University Medical School, Beijing 100044, China.
Dai
Zhen-peng
ZP
Li
Zhan-guo
ZG
Gao
Xiao-ming
XM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*