title: Soluble granzyme B and cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Activated cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) mediated target cell death has been implicated in the development of systemic autoimmune disease like SLE. However, the role of soluble granzyme B and its relationship with CTL activity and disease activity is still unknown. In this study, we evaluated role of soluble granzyme B and cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity in SLE patients. The soluble granzyme B was measured in the serum by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay while cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity was measured by flow cytometry. The disease activity was determined by using SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity was increased and strongly associated with disease activity. The soluble granzyme B levels were higher in SLE patients and associated with various clinical features like reduced complement components; C3 & C4 and skin lesion. The soluble granzyme B levels were also sturdily related with severity of the disease. The findings of this study suggest that excessive secretion of soluble granzyme B and enhanced activity of cytotoxic T lymphocyte may play a vital role in the pathogenesis of SLE and organ damage. Also, evaluation of soluble granzyme B may be helpful in monitoring the clinical features associated with activated CTL in SLE.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences Block, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
authors: Dilip
authors: D
authors: Shah
authors: Ravi
authors: R
authors: Kiran
authors: Ajay
authors: A
authors: Wanchu
authors: Archana
authors: A
authors: Bhatnagar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D053804:Granzymes / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053804:Granzymes