CD134 expression on CD4+ T cells is associated with nephritis and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a deviation of the immune system that involves T cell-dependent autoantibody production. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of co-stimulatory markers on T cells in this disease. Twenty-eight patients with SLE as defined by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and 11 healthy controls were included into the study. Eleven patients had biopsy-proven lupus nephritis while 17 patients had no clinical evidence of lupus nephritis. Clinical disease activity was assessed according to the systemic lupus erythematosus disease index (SLEDAI). CD4+ T cell populations in the peripheral blood were analysed for the expression of co-stimulatory markers CD45RO, CD70, CD80, CD86, CD137, CD137L, CD134, CD152, CD154 and ICOS. SLE patients showed an increased frequency of peripheral CD4+ T cells expressing high levels of CD80, CD86 and CD134 compared to healthy controls (7.1 +/- 1.5% versus 1.7 +/- 0.9%; P < 0.005; 2.3 +/- 0.4% versus 1.0 +/- 0.2%; P = 0.008, 20.2 +/- 2.0% versus 10.6 +/- 1.9%; P < 0.005, respectively). Significantly higher levels of CD80 on CD4+ T cells were detected in SLE patients with lupus nephritis compared to patients without nephritis (11.9 +/- 3.3% versus 4.0 +/- 0.7%; P < 0.005). There was an increased presence of CD134+ CD4+ cells in SLE patients with lupus nephritis (27.5 +/- 4.0% versus 15.5 +/- 1.3%; P < 0.005). CD80 and CD134 expression was significantly correlated with SLEDAI (r = 0.42, P = 0.03; r = 0.56, P < 0.005). Co-stimulatory molecules on CD4+ T cells are associated with renal disease and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Patschan
S
S
Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
Dolff
S
S
Kribben
A
A
Dürig
J
J
Patschan
D
D
Wilde
B
B
Specker
C
C
Philipp
T
T
Witzke
O
O
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009393:Nephritis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D053278:OX40 Ligand; D053262:Receptors, OX40; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors / Q000276:immunology
D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D015415:Biomarkers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D053278:OX40 Ligand; D053262:Receptors, OX40; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; C505716:TNFRSF4 protein, human; C089251:TNFSF4 protein, human; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors