title: Complement C4 induces regulatory T cells differentiation through dendritic cell in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic systemic autoimmune disease. Complement component 4 (C4) has be proved to play a role in pathogenesis of SLE. In the present study, we investigated the effect of C4 on T cells differentiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty SLE patients were included in this study. CD4+ T cells were isolated from healthy subjects, and dendritic cells (DCs) were isolated from healthy subjects or SLE patients. C4 was supplemented to co-incubate with T cells and DCs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum C4 concentration was positively correlated with regulatory T cell (Treg) percentage (R(2) = 0.5907, p < 0.001) and TGFβ concentration (R(2) = 0.5641, p < 0.001) in SLE patients. Different concentrations of C4 had no effect on T cells differentiation. Co-incubated T cells with DCs and C4 for 7 days, the Treg percentage and TGF-β concentration were significantly elevated. In addition, pre-treated DCs (from healthy subjects or SLE patients) with C4 and then co-incubated with T cells, the increases of Treg percentage and TGF-β concentration were also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  C4 takes part in T cells differentiation to Treg cells via DCs.
authors.affiliation: Teaching Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, 610072 Sichuan China.
authors.forename: Hong-Bin
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, No.57 Peoples Avenue South, Zhanjiang, 524001 Guangdong China.
authors.forename: Rong-Yi
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Teaching Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, 610072 Sichuan China.
authors.forename: Jing-Ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Animal Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032 Anhui China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong China.
authors.forename: Yan-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032 Anhui China.
authors.forename: Hai-Feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, No.57 Peoples Avenue South, Zhanjiang, 524001 Guangdong China.
authors.forename: Zi-Feng
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, No.57 Peoples Avenue South, Zhanjiang, 524001 Guangdong China.
authors.forename: Qing-Hua
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University Hefei, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, 230601 Anhui China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Animal Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032 Anhui China.
authors.forename: Tian-Xi
authors.initials: TX
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University Hefei, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, 230601 Anhui China.
authors.forename: Yong-Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, No.57 Peoples Avenue South, Zhanjiang, 524001 Guangdong China.
authors.forename: Jian-Qiang
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Shi
keywords: Complement C4; Systemic lupus erythematosus; TGF-β; Treg cells