糖皮质激素对系统性红斑狼疮CD4+Foxp3+T细胞水平的影响

目的 探讨糖皮质激素治疗对系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血CD4+ Foxp3+ T细胞水平的影响以及CD4+Foxp3+T细胞与SLE疾病活动的相关性.方法 采用流式细胞术检测26例SLE患者和5名正常人外周血CD4+Foxp3+T细胞百分率,Spearman相关分析法分析CD4+Foxp3+T细胞与SLE疾病活动指标及糖皮质激素的相关性.结果 活动期SLE患者外周血CD4+Foxp3+T细胞百分率(2.4±1.6)%低于正常人(3.3±0.8)%,但差异无统计学意义;非活动期SLE患者外周血CD4+Foxp3+T细胞百分率(3.3±0.7)%与正常人比较差异无统计学意义.活动期SLE患者经糖皮质激素治疗后外周血CD4+Foxp3+T细胞(6.1±3.5)%较治疗前(3.9±2.4)%升高(P＜0.05).SLE患者外周血CD4+Foxp3+T细胞水平与年龄、病程、红细胞沉降率、尿蛋白定量(24 h)、血清补体C3浓度、血清抗双链DNA(anti-dsDNA)抗体水平及SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)无相关性,但与糖皮质激素每日用量呈显著正相关(r=0.51,P＜0.05).结论 SLE患者外周血CD4+Foxp3+T细胞水平不能作为狼疮活动指标.糖皮质激素治疗可上调SLE患者外周血CD4+Foxp3+T细胞水平,CD4+Foxp3+T细胞水平上调可能是糖皮质激素治疗SLE有效的机制之一.     

系统性红斑狼疮外周血B淋巴细胞激活及TOLL样受体9表达

目的探讨系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)中B淋巴细胞的激活状态及TOLL样受体9(TLR9)表达水平。方法用流式细胞术测定25例SLE患者PBMC中CD19 B细胞及CD19 CD38 B细胞的比例。用反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)半定量方法检测38例SLE患者PBMCs中TLR9mRNA的表达水平。分析TLR9mRNA的表达水平与SLE活动性指数(SLEDAI)的相关性。结果SLE患者PBMCs中CD19 B细胞和CD19 CD38 B细胞的百分数均高于正常对照组(P<0.01)。活动期SLE患者PBMCs的TLR9mRNA表达低于缓解组(P<0.01)及正常对照(P<0.01),缓解期和正常对照组相比,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。TLR9mRNA的表达与SLEDAI评分呈负相关。结论SLE患者PBMC中激活B细胞增多。活动期SLE患者PBMC的TLR9的表达水平降低,与SLEDAI呈负相关。TLR9可能参与SLE的病理发病过程。     

系统性红斑狼疮患者CD1的表达与疾病活动性的相关性

目的研究系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血CD1的表达与疾病活动性之间的关系。方法用流式细胞仪检测了47例SLE患者外周血单个核细胞CD1c及CD1d的表达及淋巴细胞亚群百分数。结果SLE活动组病人CD1c+及CD1d+细胞百分率显著增高(P<0.05),CD4+细胞百分率显著降低(P<0.01),CD3+、CD8+细胞百分率正常,CD20+细胞数增高(P<0.01)。稳定期病人CD1c+及CD1d+细胞百分率正常,CD4+、CD8+、CD20+细胞百分率均正常。SLE患者CD1c+、CD1d+细胞阳性率与患者SLEDAI的评分有显著的相关性(r=0.68与r=0.66,P<0.01),与抗dsDNA抗体的表达有显著相关性(r=0.36与r=0.41,P<0.05);SLE患者CD1c+细胞阳性率与抗磷脂抗体(ACA)的表达有显著的相关性(r=0.68,P<0.01),与血清C3水平有显著相关性(r=-0.35,P<0.05)。经治疗后CD1c及CD1d的表达明显下降。结论系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血CD1c与CD1d的表达与疾病的活动性明显相关,CD1c、CD1d可能在SLE脂类抗原及核酸类抗原的递呈及抗dsDNA抗体、抗磷脂抗体的产生中起重要作用。     

CD4+CD25-Foxp3+T淋巴细胞的表型鉴定及其在初发系统性红斑狼疮中的意义

目的 对初发系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血异常表达CD4+CD25-Foxp3+T淋巴细胞进行表型鉴定,并探讨其临床意义.方法 对初发SLE患者外周血CD4+T淋巴细胞进行细胞表面分子[CD25、CD127、CCR4、糖皮质激素诱导的肿瘤坏死因子受体(GITR)、细胞毒T淋巴细胞相关抗原4(CT-LA-4)]和胞内分子(Foxp3)标染,流式细胞仪检测,并研究CD4+各细胞亚群与狼疮肾炎和疾病活动度(SLEDAI)相关性.结果 SLE患者外周血CD4+CD25-Foxp3+T淋巴细胞表面 GITR、CTLA-4和CCR4表达率与活化T淋巴细胞(CD4+CD25+Foxp3-)相比差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05),而显著低于调节性T淋巴细胞(CD4+CD25+Foxp3+)(P均<0.01);CD4+Foxp3+CD25high,CD4+Foxp3+CD25low和CD4+Foxp3+CD25-细胞中CD127low-百分率分别为(93.8±,3.5)%,(93.7±2.3)%,(92.0±2.1)%,三者之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);在CD4+细胞亚群中,当CD127low-时,Foxp3+在CD25high,CD25low和CD25-中表达率分别为 (91.4±2.6)%,(71.9±3.3)%,(9.0±2.2)%,三者之间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);SLE患者外周血CD4+CCR4+CD25highT淋巴细胞百分率与SLEDAI呈显著负相关(r=-0.695,P<0.001),狼疮肾炎患者(1.10±0.17)%显著低于SLE无肾炎组[(1.61±0.23)%,P<0.01]和健康对照组[(1.75±0.10)%,P<0.01];狼疮肾炎患者外周血CD4+ CCR4+CD25low-T淋巴细胞百分率显著高于健康对照组[(11.5 ±2.3)%与(8.0±1.0)%,P<0.01)].结论 初发SLE中异常升高的CD4+CD25-Foxp3+T淋巴细胞的表型类似早期活化效应T淋巴细胞.可以用CD4+CD25highCD127low-T淋巴细胞替选CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T淋巴细胞.CCR4+调节性T淋巴细胞可能参与狼疮肾炎发病.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者热休克蛋白90和白细胞介素18的表达及意义

目的:研究系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者热休克蛋白90(HSP90)和血浆白细胞介素18(IL-18)的表达水平及与疾病活动的关系。方法:运用Westernblot技术检测SLE患者外周血单个核细胞HSP90的表达,ELISA方法检测血浆中的IL-18水平,并与SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)进行相关性分析。结果:⑴SLE患者HSP90的表达水平在活动期组(0.82±0.10)和稳定期组(0.54±0.09)与正常对照组(0.37±0.11)比较均具有显著性差异(分别P<0.01),且活动期组较稳定期组增高更明显(P<0.01);⑵SLE患者血浆IL-18水平在稳定期组(327.82±101.45pg/ml)和活动期组(459.79±134.08pg/ml)均显著高于正常对照组(252.32±76.45pg/ml)(分别为P<0.05,P<0.01);⑶SLE患者的HSP90和IL-18水平与SLEDAI评分之间呈正相关(分别为r=0.80,P<0.01;r=0.49,P<0.01)。结论:SLE患者外周血单个核细胞HSP90和血浆IL-18水平均显著增高,并且与SLE的病情活动密切相关,可能在SLE的发病机制中发挥重要作用。     

间充质干细胞对系统性红斑狼疮CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞的调节

目的 探讨同种异体骨髓间充质干细胞(MSC)体内外对系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞及人脐带MSC移植对MRL/lpr鼠脾脏和淋巴结CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞水平的影响.方法 血缘相关供者骨髓中分离培养MSC移植治疗5例SLE患者,采用流式细胞术检测移植前后外周血CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞百分率.7例SLE患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)分别与SLE患者和正常人骨髓MSC按不同比例体外共培养72 h,检测共培养后PBMC中CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞百分率.MRL/Ipr鼠输注脐带MSC后检测脾脏和淋巴结CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞百分率.结果 SLE患者异基因骨髓MSC移植后1周外周血CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞百分率(4.8±1.6)%和移植后3个月(6.0±2.6)%均较移植前(2.1±1.2)%明显升高(5例,P<0.05).正常骨髓MSC与SLE患者PBMC共培养后CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞百分率明显升高(P<0.05).且存在剂量依赖性,狼疮MSC也可上调SLE患者CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞水平,但作用较正常MSC弱(P<0.05);正常MSC培养上清也可上调SLE患者PBMC中CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞水平,但作用弱于MSC:PBMC=1:1组(P<0.05).MRL/Ipr鼠经1次或3次脐带MSC移植后脾脏CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞百分率均较对照组高(P<0.05),但淋巴结CD+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞百分率均较对照组低(p<0.01),1次和3次移植组间差异无统计学意义.结论 异基因甚至异种MSC移植可上调SLE患者或MRL/Ipr鼠CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞水平,同时体外试验也得出相同结论,且体外上调作用呈一定剂量依赖性,CD4+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞水平上调可能是MSC移植治疗SLE有效的机制之一.     

L-选择素在系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血CD4~+CD25~+T淋巴细胞的表达及其与Foxp3的相关性

目的了解黏附分子L-选择素(L-selectin,CD62L)在系统性红斑狼疮(systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE)患者外周血CD4+CD25+T淋巴细胞的表达,及其与CD4+CD25+Treg细胞转录因子Foxp3的相关性。方法用流式细胞仪检测68例SLE患者外周血CD4+、CD4+CD25+T淋巴细胞CD62L和Foxp3的表达。根据SLEDAI评分,68例SLE患者中活动组36例,稳定组32例;健康对照组35人。结果活动组SLE患者外周血CD4+CD25+CD62L+T淋巴细胞为(1.71±1.60)%,低于对照组的(5.87±3.03)%(P0.01)和稳定组的(4.91±1.69)%(P0.01),差异具有显著性意义;且与SLEDAI呈负相关(r=-0.695,P=0.000),与补体C3水平呈正相关(r=0.522,P=0.000)。活动组SLE患者外周血CD4+CD25+CD62L+Foxp3+T淋巴细胞为(1.06±0.47)%,低于对照组的(3.17±0.87)%(P0.01)和稳定组的(3.46±1.15)%(P0.01),差异有显著性意义。CD4+T淋巴细胞CD62L的表达与CD4+CD25+T淋巴细胞CD62L和Foxp3的表达呈负相关(r=-0.689,P=0.000;r=-0.568,P=0.000);CD4+CD25+T淋巴细胞CD62L的表达与Foxp3的表达呈正相关(r=0.891,P=0.000)。结论CD62L在SLE患者外周血CD4+CD25+T的低表达及与Foxp3表达密切相关,可能在SLE发病中起着重要作用。     

系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血CD4+ CD8+和CD22+淋巴细胞活化分子CD69的表达

目的探讨系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血淋巴细胞(PBL) T细胞(CD4+、CD8+)和B细胞(CD22+)活化分子CD69的表达.方法应用双染色流式细胞术检测CD4、CD8、和CD22细胞亚群CD69分子;在植物凝集素(PHA)刺激后20 h淋巴细胞亚群CD69分子的表达.结果①SLE患者PBMC的CD69分子活动期高于静止期(P＜0.001)和正常对照组(P＜0.01)的表达,SLE静止期患者与正常对照组CD69表达差异无显著性(P＞0.05).②进一步分析CD4+、CD8+和CD22+淋巴细胞亚群的CD69的表达,其中,SLE活动期患者CD4+细胞的CD69表达显著高于静止期(P＜0.001)和正常对照组(P＜0.01)的表达,SLE静止期患者与正常对照组CD69表达差异无显著性(P＞0.05);CD8+细胞活动期高于静止期患者(P＜0.05),其余组间差异无显著性(P＞0.05);CD22+B细胞各组间差异无显著性.③PHA刺激20 h后,CD4+、CD22+B细胞的CD69表达,活动期显著高于静止期患者和正常对照组(P＜0.01).结论 SLE患者外周血CD4+T细胞和CD22+B细胞存在着异常的活化,这种淋巴细胞的异常活化是SLE重要的发病机制之一.     

调节性T淋巴细胞转化生长因子-β白细胞介素-17对狼疮肾炎的影响及相互关系

目的 检测活动期、静止期狼疮肾炎(LN)患者及健康人外周血白细胞介素(IL)-10、IL-6、转化生长因子(TGF)-β、IL-17、CD4~+CD25~+CD127~(lo)调节性T淋巴细胞水平,探讨TGF-β与调节性T淋巴细胞、IL-6、IL-17在LN的变化及相互关系.方法 采用三色荧光染色通过流式细胞仪(FCM)检测外周血中CD4~+CD25~+CD127~(lo)细胞水平,以双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法测定LN患者外周血中TGF-β、IL-17水平,用CBA流式蛋白分析系统检测外周血中IL-10、IL-6水平.结果 ①活动期LN患者外周血调节性T淋巴细胞低于静止期、健康组(P<0.01),静止期与健康组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).②活动期LN患者IL-10、IL-6与静止期相比显著升高(P<0.01).③活动期LN、静止期LN、健康组TGF-β、IL-17无变化.④LN患者调节性T淋巴细胞与IL-10、IL-6、SLEDAI之间呈负相关(P<0.05);与C3、C4之间无显著相关性.⑤LN患者外周血IL-10、IL-6与SLEDAI呈正相关(P<0.01),与C3、C4均呈负相关(P<0.01).LN患者外周血SLEDAI与C3、C4均呈负相关(P<0.01).⑥LN患者调节性T淋巴细胞与TGF-β、IL-17之间无相关性.⑦TGF-β与IL-17呈正相关(P<0.01).结论 ①LN患者外周血中调节性T淋巴细胞及IL-10、IL-6、TGF-β的水平变化可作为狼疮活动性的指标.②LN患者外周血中调节性T淋巴细胞与IL-10、IL-6呈负相关.③激素有助于提高调节性T淋巴细胞,降低IL-17.④T淋巴细胞将随机体状态、局部微环境的改变以及维护机体免疫平衡的需要出现不同的极化.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者T淋巴细胞PTA1表达的研究

目的：研究血小板和T细胞活化抗原1（PTA1）在系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）外周血T淋巴细胞的表达及其与SLE活动相关性，探索活化T细胞在SLE发病中的作用。方法：应用双色直接荧光标记，流式细胞仪分析27例（其中活动期13例，非活动期14例）SLE患者和30名健康志愿者的CD3，CD4，CD8淋巴细胞，在植物血凝素（PHA）刺激下PTA1（CD226）表达，同时检测SLE患者抗dsDNA抗体，C3和C4补体，疾病活动度用SLEDAI记分，结果：SLE患者组CD3，CD4，CD8淋巴细胞上PTA1表达率均高于正常对照组，CD3上PTA1表达两组差异有显著性（P＜0．01），活动期SLE组CD3，CD4，CD8细胞上PTA1表达均高于正常对照组和非活动期SLE组（P＜0．01），而非活动期SLE组与正常对照组差异无显著性（P＞0．05），SLE患者CD3，CD8细胞PTA1表达与SLEDAI，抗dsDNA抗体之间呈正相关，与C3，C4补体水平呈负相关，CD8细胞PTA1表达与SLEDAI，抗dsDNA抗体，C3，C4补体水平呈直线相关（P＜0．05），结论：SLE患者存在T细胞亚群异常活化，活动期SLE淋巴细胞PTA1表达增高，SLE患者CD8细胞PTA1表达异常与SLEDAI，抗dsDNA抗体，C2和C4补体之间有明显相关，CD8细胞活化程度与SLE疾病程度有关，PTA1可能参与了SLE的免疫发病机制。     

Expression of costimulatory molecules on peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) autoantibody production is T cell dependent. For a proper T and B cell interaction, signalling of costimulatory molecules on these cells is necessary. The expression of costimulatory molecules on peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with SLE in conjunction with disease activity was measured to evaluate whether expression of costimulatory molecules in SLE is increased. METHODS: Thirteen patients with SLE with active disease, 10 patients with inactive disease, and 14 controls entered the study. In addition, samples from 10 of the 13 patients with active disease could be studied at a moment of inactive disease as well. Isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes were stained for the lymphocyte subset markers CD4, CD8, CD19, their respective activation markers CD25, HLA-DR, CD38, and the costimulatory molecules CD40L, CD28, CD40, CD80, and CD86. Expression was measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with SLE showed signs of increased activation at the moment of active disease. Almost all CD4+ T cells expressed CD28, both in patients and in controls. CD80 expression on CD19+ B cells was low in both groups and did not correlate with disease activity. In contrast, the percentage of CD19+ B cells expressing CD86 was increased in patients with SLE even in patients with inactive disease (p=0.04) and correlated with the SLEDAI score (p=0.0005) and levels of anti-dsDNA (p=0.006). No changes in CD40 or CD40L expression were found in the patients with SLE. CONCLUSION: In patients with SLE the expression of CD86 on CD19+ B cells is increased and is associated with disease activity, B cell activation, and levels of anti-dsDNA. The increased CD86 expression will render (autoreactive) B cells more susceptible for T cells. This can facilitate autoantibody production and might be a target for immunosuppressive treatments.     

Roles of CCR2 and CXCR3 in the T cell-mediated response occurring during lupus flares

OBJECTIVE: Infiltrating lymphocytes have been demonstrated to play an important role in the tissue injury that occurs in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Inflammatory chemokines control lymphocyte traffic through their interaction with T cell chemokine receptors. In this study we assessed the expression of chemokine receptors on T cell subsets of patients with active or inactive SLE. METHODS: Forty-four SLE patients (40 women and 4 men) were included in the study. The patients were divided according to their SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), which resulted in a group of patients with inactive SLE (n = 27) and a group with active SLE (n = 17). The control group was composed of 22 healthy blood donors. A disease control group consisted of 18 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Expression of chemokine receptors CCR1, CCR2, CCR5, CXCR3, CXCR4, and CX3CR1 was assessed on whole blood samples by immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS: On T lymphocytes, significant differences between the SLE patients and controls were observed only in the expression of CCR2 and CXCR3. On monocytes, no significant differences in CCR2 expression were observed between the healthy controls and the SLE patients. The proportion of CD8+,CCR2+ T cells was significantly lower in the SLE patients compared with the controls (mean +/- SD 2.3 +/- 1.3% and 3.5 +/- 3.2% in the active and inactive SLE groups, respectively, versus 21 +/- 24% in controls; P < 0.0001 for both). The CD4+,CCR2+ subset was represented similarly among the controls and patients with inactive SLE (16.7 +/- 5.8% and 12.8 +/- 8.1%, respectively) but was depleted in patients with active SLE (7.1 +/- 4.4%; P < 0.0001 versus controls). The active SLE group expressed significantly lower circulating levels of CD4+,CCR2+ T cells than did the inactive disease group (P = 0.007). A negative correlation was found between the proportion of CD4+,CCR2+ T cells and the SLEDAI (r = -0.43, P = 0.005, by Spearman's correlation). Proportions of CD8+,CXCR3+ T cells were similar between the SLE groups and the control group (58 +/- 22.6% in active SLE, 47.1 +/- 20% in inactive SLE, and 59.4 +/- 17.3% in controls). The proportion of CXCR3-expressing CD4+ T cells was decreased in the active disease group (23.5 +/- 3.2% versus 39.9 +/- 12.5% in controls; P = 0.008) but not in the inactive disease group (34.8 +/- 9.5%). A trend toward a significant negative correlation was observed between the decreased proportion of CD4+,CXCR3+ T cells and the SLEDAI (P = 0.08). Following in vitro activation of purified CD4 T cells, only CCR2 was internalized, whereas expression of CXCR3 was retained in activated CD4 cells. CONCLUSION: The numbers of circulating CD4+,CXCR3+ and CD4+,CCR2+ T cells are selectively decreased during SLE flares. A decrease in the number of circulating CD4+ T cells expressing CCR2 and/or CXCR3 could serve as a biomarker of the SLE flare.     

Clinical relevance of the expression of P-glycoprotein on peripheral blood lymphocytes to steroid resistance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) of membrane transporters leads to drug resistance by the exclusion of intracellular drugs, including corticosteroids. Some patients with highly active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) show poor response to corticosteroids; however, the mechanisms of steroid resistance remain unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinical relevance of P-gp expression on lymphocytes to steroid resistance in patients with active SLE. METHODS: Flow cytometric analyses of the expression of P-gp on peripheral blood lymphocytes from 20 normal volunteers and 80 SLE patients were performed. Steroid-exclusion analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was conducted by using radioisotope-labeled dexamethasone. RESULTS: P-gp was expressed at significantly high levels on most of the peripheral blood lymphocytes from SLE patients, whereas normal lymphocytes had only marginal expression. The quantity of P-gp on SLE lymphocytes correlated with the disease activity in each patient, as estimated by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Furthermore, in SLE patients whose SLEDAI scores were >12 despite taking >0.5 mg/kg/day of prednisolone, P-gp expression on lymphocytes was markedly increased, and intracellular dexamethasone in their PBMCs was significantly decreased. However, intensive immunosuppressive treatment in these SLE patients resulted in successful control of disease activity, which occurred in parallel with a marked reduction of P-gp on lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: The overexpression of P-gp on lymphocytes might lead to exclusion of corticosteroids from lymphocytes, resulting in steroid resistance in patients with highly active SLE. Reduction of P-gp expression achieved by intensive immunosuppressive treatment overcame the steroid resistance. We therefore propose that measurement of P-gp expression on lymphocytes is useful in the assessment of steroid resistance and is a good marker for indicating the need for intensive immunosuppressive treatment in patients with highly active SLE.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者Bcl-2蛋白的表达及其临床意义

目的 探讨Ｂｃｌ－２蛋白在秕生红斑狼疮（ＳＬＥ）发病机制的作用及其临床意义。方法 以流式细胞仪双标记法和免疫组化方法分别检测３１列ＳＬＥ病人外周血Ｔ、Ｂ细胞和肾组织Ｂｃｌ－２ｘ蛋白表达。结果 活动期ＳＬＥ病人ＣＤ３＾＋、ＣＤ４＾＋和ＣＤ８＾＋Ｔ细胞Ｂｃｌ－２蛋白表达明显高于非活动期ＳＬＥ病人和正常对照组。ＣＤ１９＾＋Ｂ细胞Ｂｃｌ－２蛋白表达在各组之间并无统计学差异。ＣＤ３＾＋Ｔ细胞Ｂｃｌ－２蛋白表     

The role of T helper cell subsets in pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and their relation to disease activity

The chemokine receptors expression dictates the spectrum of action of chemokines. One possible role of chemokines in autoimmune diseases, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), is to facilitate the migration of lymphocytes to specific target organs thus accounting for the accumulation of T-cells in different organs, and subsequent disease manifestations. In the present study we investigated the surface expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CCR5 on CD4-positive T-helper lymphocytes in patients with active SLE, patients in remission, and in healthy subjects. Furthermore, a possible correlation between these cytokine receptors and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was investigated. The study included 48 patients; all met at least four of the 11 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria for SLE. They were subdivided according to their SLEDAI into 2 groups: active SLE group of 28 patients with SLEDAI (> or = 6), and 20 SLE patients in remission with SLEDAI (< 6). Twenty age and sex matching healthy subjects were included as controls. We found that patients in the active SLE group had significantly elevated the mean expressions of CXCR3 and CCR5 on the surface of CD4+ T-lymphocytes than in the SLE patients in remission and healthy controls. The SLE patients in remission were found to have substantial reduced CD4+ CXCR3+ expression in comparison to healthy controls. Interestingly, a significant positive correlation was found between SLEDAI and each mean level of CD4+ CXCR3 and CD4+ CCR5+ in all SLE patients. In conclusion, this study revealed that the surface expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR3 and CCR5 on CD4+ T cells were increased markedly in patients with active SLE more than SLE patients in remission and the healthy subjects, this increase correlated positively with the SLEDAI. A larger study should be conducted to examine the role of CXCR3 and CCR5 expression in predicting disease activity in SLE patients.     

Increased Fas and Bcl-2 expression on peripheral mononuclear cells from patients with active juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: To determine expressions of Fas and Bcl-2 on peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes from patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE). METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with JSLE and 21 healthy controls were studied. Eleven JSLE patients with SLEDAI score >or= 8 were categorized as active. Freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained for lymphocyte markers CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD19 and for Fas and Bcl-2 molecules. Cell protein expression was measured by 3-color flow cytometry. RESULTS: Percentages of lymphocytes positively stained for Fas antigen and cytoplasmic expression of Bcl-2 measured by mean fluorescence intensity from patients were significantly increased compared to controls on CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells. Patients with active disease had higher percentages of CD19+ B cells positive for Fas antigen compared to patients with inactive lupus. A direct statistical correlation was observed between Fas and Bcl-2 expression on CD19+ B cells and SLE Disease Activity Index score. CONCLUSION: Patients with juvenile-onset SLE show upregulation of apoptosis-related proteins. Patients with active and inactive disease have a different profile of Fas and Bcl-2 expression.     

Increase in activated CD8+ T lymphocytes expressing perforin and granzyme B correlates with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated killing using granzyme B has recently been proposed to be a preferential and selective source of autoantigens in systemic autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), while other reports have indicated that cytolytic activity in SLE patients was decreased. The aim of this study was to examine the phenotypic and functional status of the CD8+ T cells in SLE patients. METHODS: Phenotype analysis of CD8+ T cells was carried out using flow cytometry. The cytotoxic potential of CD8+ T cells and its consequences were examined in redirected-killing experiments. SLE patients with quiescent disease (n = 41) were compared with SLE patients with active disease (n = 20), normal individuals (n = 36), and control patients with vasculitis (n = 14). Cytotoxic CD8+ T cell differentiation was examined by coculture with differentiated dendritic cells (DCs) in the presence of SLE patient sera. RESULTS: Patients with disease flares were characterized by higher proportions of perforin- and/or granzyme B-positive lymphocytes with a differentiated effector phenotype (CCR7- and CD45RA+). The frequency of these cells in peripheral blood correlated with clinical disease activity as assessed by the SLE Disease Activity Index. These cells generated high amounts of soluble nucleosomes as well as granzyme B-dependent unique autoantigen fragments. Finally, the activation of DCs with serum from a patient with active lupus induced granzyme B expression in CD8+ T lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: DCs generated in the presence of sera from SLE patients with active disease could promote the differentiation of CD8+ effector T lymphocytes that are fully functional and able to generate SLE autoantigens. Our data disclose a new and pivotal role of activated CD8+ T lymphocytes in SLE pathogenesis.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T细胞数量和Foxp3mRNA的表达水平与疾病活动性的相关性

目的 研究系统性红斑狼疮(SEE)患者CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T细胞的数量及其功能基因Foxp3 mRNA的表达水平与SLE疾病活动性和肾脏损伤的相关性.方法 采用四色流式细胞术以Foxp3-异硫氰酸荧光素(FITC )/CD25-藻红蛋白/CD4-多甲藻叶绿素蛋白(PerCP)/CD3-藻蓝蛋白7抗体组合检测40名健康对照者及42例SLE患者外周血CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T细胞的数量,实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测特异性转录因子Foxp3 mRNA的表达水平,并分析其与SLE患者疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)、补体C3及血清抗双链DNA(dsDNA)抗体的关系.统计学方法采用t检验和Spearman相关分析.结果 活动期SLE患者外周血CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T细胞数量显著低于健康对照组[(4±3)％与(7±4)％,P＜0.05],稳定期与健康对照组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);活动期SLE患者外周血CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T细胞数量及CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T细胞/CD4+比值显著低于稳定期患者[(4±3)％,(9±6)％与(5±4)％,(10±6)％,P均＜0.05];活动期SLE患者外周血Foxp3 mRNA的表达水平明显低于稳定期和对照组(P＜0.01,P＜0.05);SLE患者并发肾病组外周血CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T细胞数量及CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T细胞/CD4+比值显著低于SLE非肾病组(P＜0.05).相关分析显示,SLE患者外周血CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T细胞数量与SLEDAI呈负相关(r=-0.5782,P＜0.05);CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T细胞/CD4+比值与SLEDAI呈负相关(r=-0.4913,P＜0.05),与补体C3呈正相关(r=0.3687,P＜0.05);SLE患者外周血CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T细胞数量与Foxp3 mRNA的表达水平呈正相关(r=0.6142,P＜0.0l).结论 SLE患者外周血CD4+CD25highFoxp3+调节性T细胞和Foxp3 mRNA的变化可能是导致SLE疾病发生和发展的关键因素之一,与疾病的活动性有密切关系.