Relationship between T lymphocyte subsets and cortisol in systemic lupus erythematosus.
BACKGROUND
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex chronic immunological disease characterized by increased B cell activity and altered T cell function.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate relationship between T lymphocyte subsets and cortisol with the disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus patients in North India.


METHODS
The percentage of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the lymphocyte of SLE patients and healthy controls were determined by flow cytometry. Serum cortisol of SLE patients and healthy controls was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
A significant decrease in the percentage of CD4(+) T cells and increase in the percentage of CD8(+) T cells were found in patients with SLE compared to the healthy controls. Decrease in the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) T cell and low level of serum cortisol were found in the patients with SLE. The ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) T cell was inversely correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). A positive correlation was observed between CD8(+) T cells and SLEDAI score. Furthermore, CD8(+) T cells were positively correlated with ESR in the patients with SLE.


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed that low level of cortisol and high percentage of CD8(+) T cells in the lymphocytes could be actively involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Shah
D
D
Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Science Block, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
Kiran
R
R
Wanchu
A
A
Bhatnagar
Archana
A
D000328:Adult; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D018450:Disease Progression; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D006854:Hydrocortisone