Increased expression of CD154 and FAS in SLE patients' lymphocytes.
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.
Manea
Maria Elena
ME
Department of Immunopathology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str Croitorilor no 19-21, 3400 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Mueller
Ruediger B
RB
Dejica
Doru
D
Sheriff
Ahmed
A
Schett
Georg
G
Herrmann
Martin
M
Kern
Peter
P
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
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; C491901:FAS protein, human; D019014:fas Receptor; D023201:CD40 Ligand