title: Increased IL-17 and IL-21 producing TCRαβ+CD4-CD8- T cells in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increased numbers of TCRαβ(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells in the peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in the United States and United Kingdom have been reported. However, the proportions of TCRαβ(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells and their involvement in the pathogenesis of SLE in Chinese populations are yet to be determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 120 SLE patients, 38 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 43 normal control subjects were examined. The proportion of TCRαβ(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells in the peripheral blood, Fas expression on these cells, and intracellular cytokine levels in these cells were assessed using flow cytometry. Plasma cytokine concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentages of TCRαβ(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells were increased in Chinese SLE patients, particularly in active SLE patients, correlated with decreased Fas expression on these cells. IL-17 and IL-21 levels in the blood and in TCRαβ(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells from SLE patients were increased. Moreover, a positive correlation was evident between IL-17- and IL-21-producing TCRαβ(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased TCRαβ(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) T cells expressing inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-17 and IL-21, may be implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE in patients. Appropriate IL-17- and/or IL-21 blockage may be utilized as a novel immunotherapeutic strategy for SLE patients.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: H-X
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: W-N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanyang Center Hospital, Henan, China.
authors.forename: H-X
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: X-J
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China qiuyuronggz@126.com.
authors.forename: Y-R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000276:immunology*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D000098546:Interleukin-21
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; C508717:IL17A protein, human; D020381:Interleukin-17; D007378:Interleukins; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D000098546:Interleukin-21
keywords: Fas; TCRαβ+CD4−CD8−T cells; interleukine 17; interleukine 21; systemic lupus erythematosus