title: Increased expression of CD154 and FAS in SLE patients' lymphocytes.
abstract: An increased level of apoptotic material and B cell activation leading to autoantibody production are hallmarks of systemic lupus erythematoses (SLE). Increased FAS expression, apoptosis, and CD154-mediated signaling, enabling T–B cell interaction are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. This study addresses the expression profile of CD154 and FAS in the peripheral blood of patients with SLE, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and normal healthy control donors. Surface markers on peripheral blood T and B cells from patients and healthy control donors were assessed using flow cytometry. The expression of CD154 and FAS were significantly increased in T and B cells of SLE patients as compared to healthy control donors and RA patients. In SLE and RA patients, FAS expression strongly correlated with CD154 expression on T cells, which was not found in healthy control donors. FAS expression was also associated with the occurrence of anti-DNA antibodies. We demonstrate high CD154 and FAS expression as a characteristic feature of SLE. This pattern may reflect simultaneous activation of apoptosis and activation of B–T cell interaction in SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunopathology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str Croitorilor no 19-21, 3400 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Manea
authors.forename: Ruediger B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Doru
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dejica
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sheriff
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schett
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kern
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; C491901:FAS protein, human; D019014:fas Receptor; D023201:CD40 Ligand