The expression of human leukocyte antigen-DR and CD25 on circulating T cells in cutaneous lupus erythematosus and correlation with disease activity.
BACKGROUND
Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a broad clinical spectrum reaching from primarily cutaneous manifestations [cutaneous LE (CLE)] up to systemic disease [systemic LE (SLE)]. In patients with SLE, the expression of activation markers on circulating T cells reflects disease activity. Here, we investigated whether this also holds true for patients with CLE.


METHODS
The expression of the activation markers human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR and CD25 on circulating T lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometry in 24 patients suffering from different types of active CLE. Simultaneously, the disease activity was assessed clinically using a CLE activity index. Eighteen healthy donors were analyzed for control purposes.


RESULTS
HLA-DR was expressed on a significantly elevated percentage of both CD4+ and CD8+ circulating T cells in active CLE patients when compared with healthy controls. The percentage of HLA-DR-expressing T lymphocytes closely correlated with the disease activity. Interestingly, in disseminated scarring chronic discoid LE, a significantly increased percentage of CD25+ cells was observed only in the subset of skin-homing cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA)+CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide evidence that activation markers on peripheral blood T cells might help to objectively assess the disease activity in CLE. Furthermore, a significant population of CD25+CLA+CD8+ T cells can only be detected in a subgroup of patients with disseminated scarring CLE and might reflect the systemic expansion of activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes involved in destruction of epidermal tissue.
Wenzel
Joerg
J
Department of Dermatology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. joerg.wenzel@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Henze
Stephanie
S
Brähler
Sabine
S
Bieber
Thomas
T
Tüting
Thomas
T
D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2