[Expression of CD4+ CD25+ CD127(low/-) T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the new and old surface markers of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the CD4+ T cells of the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in order to reveal the role of Treg cells in the pathogenesis of SLE.


METHODS
Peripheral blood samples were collected from 29 newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve SLE patients, 3 males and 26 females, aged (34 +/- 13), and 24 sex and aged-matched healthy controls. Three-color flow cytometry was used to detect the CD4+CD25+ CD127(low/-) T cells, CD4+CD25high T cells, and CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells. The serum anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-ds-DNA antibody, anti-smooth muscle antibody, anti-nucleosome antibody, anti-C1q, C3, and C4 were detected. Blood and urine routine examinations were conducted.


RESULTS
The proportion of blood CD4+ CD25+CD127(low/-) T cells of the SLE patients was not significantly different from that of the controls (P > 0.05), however, the proportions of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells and CD4+CD25high T cells of the SLE patients were 2.1 +/- 1.2 and 0.8 +/- 0.4 respectively, both significantly lower than those of the controls (4.0 +/- 1.4 and 1.8 +/- 0.8 respectively, both P <0.01). The ratios of the CD4+CD25+CD127(low/-) T cells, CD4+CD25high T cells, and CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells to the CD4+CD25+ T cells of the SLE patients were 0.5 +/- 0.1, 0.1 +/- 0, and 0.3 +/- 0.1 respectively, all significantly lower than those of the controls (0.6 +/- 0.1, 0.2 +/- 0.1, and 0.5 +/- 0. respectively, all P <0.01). The level of CD4+CD25+CD127(low/-) T cell was positively correlated with the levels of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells and CD4+CD25high T cell (both P < 0.01). The levels of these 3 kinds of cells and their ratios to CD4+CD25+ T cells had no correlation with age, sex, course, IgG, IgA, IgM, urine protein, TIPU, anti-dsDNA, anti-C1q, anti-nuclear body antibody (all P > 0.05), however, were significantly associated negatively with SLE disease activity index, P < 0.05). Only the CD4+CD25+CD127(low/-) T cells/ CD4+CD25+ T cells was negatively correlated with C4 (P <0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The relative ratio of Treg cells to the activated CD4+ T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Zhao
Shu-Shan
SS
Department of Rheumatology, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230001, China.
Li
Xiao-Mei
XM
Li
Xiang-Pei
XP
Zhai
Zhi-Min
ZM
Chen
Zhu
Z
Ma
Yan
Y
Zhang
Hong
H
Zheng
Song-Guo
SG
D000328:Adult; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000097:blood; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000097:blood; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit