Combined low dose cyclosporine and prednisone down-regulate natural killer cell-like effector functions of CD8brightCD56+ T cells in patients with active Behçet uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes of effector-related phenotypic markers and the natural killer (NK)-like effector functions of CD8(bright)CD56+ T cells in patients with Behçet uveitis after combined cyclosporine and prednisone (Cs/Pd) treatment.


METHODS
Ten patients with active Behçet panuveitis and 10 healthy controls were prospectively recruited in this study. The effector-related surface markers (CD27, CD62L, CD11b, HLA-DR, CD94, NKG2D), chemokine receptors (CXCR1, CXCR3, CCR4, CCR5), and intracellular perforin of circulating CD8(bright)CD56+ T cells were determined by flow cytometric analysis before and after two months' treatment. NK-like cytotoxicity of ex vivo CD8(bright)CD56+ T cells against K562 was measured by standard 51Cr release assay.


RESULTS
The expression levels of effector-related molecules on CD8(bright)CD56+ T cells normalized after treatment. The expression levels of CXCR1 and CCR5 were down-regulated on CD8(bright)CD56+ T cells after treatment. The amounts of preformed intracellular perforin of CD8(bright)CD56+ T cells were reduced to the normal levels. Furthermore, the NK-like cytolytic capacities of CD8(bright)CD56+ T cells were decreased after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the combined Cs/Pd treatments in active Behçet uveitis may downregulate the NK-like effector functions of CD8(bright)CD56+ T cells.
Ahn
Jae Kyoun
JK
Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School, 8 Hakdong, Donggu, Gwangju 501-757, Korea. jkahn@jnu.ac.kr
Park
Yeoung Geol
YG
Park
Sang Woo
SW
Yoon
Kyung-Chul
KC
Yu
Hyeong Gon
HG
Chung
Hum
H
D000328:Adult; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D054353:Perforin; D010641:Phenotype; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000378:metabolism; D023062:Receptors, Interleukin-8A / Q000378:metabolism
D019002:CD56 Antigen; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D019713:Receptors, CCR5; D023062:Receptors, Interleukin-8A; D054353:Perforin; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011241:Prednisone