Imbalanced expression of functional surface molecules in regulatory and effector T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus

Autor(es)

D. Mesquita Júnior ^[1] ; W.M. Cruvinel ^{[2, 3]} ; J.A.P. Araujo ^[2] ; K.C. Salmazi ^[4] ; E.G. Kallas ^[4] ; L.E.C. Andrade ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Escola Paulista de Medicina. Departamento de Medicina - Brasil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Med, Disciplina Reumatol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Catolica Goias, Dept Biomed, Goiania, Go - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Clin Med, Disciplina Imunol Clin & Alergia, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 47, n. 8, p. 662-669, 2014-08-00.

Resumo

Regulatory T (TREG) cells play an important role in maintaining immune tolerance and avoiding autoimmunity. We analyzed the expression of membrane molecules in TREG and effector T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). TREG and effector T cells were analyzed for the expression of CTLA-4, PD1, CD28, CD95, GITR, HLA-DR, OX40, CD40L, and CD45RO in 26 patients with active disease, 31 with inactive disease, and 26 healthy controls. TREG cells were defined as CD25+/highCD127Ø/lowFoxP3+, and effector T cells were defined as CD25+CD127+FoxP3Ø. The ratio of TREG to effector T cells expressing GITR, PD1, HLA-DR, OX40, CD40L, and CD45RO was determined in the three groups. The frequency of TREG cells was similar in patients with SLE and controls. However, SLE patients had a decreased frequency of CTLA-4+TREG and CD28+TREG cells and an increased frequency of CD40L+TREG cells. There was a decrease in the TREG/effector-T ratio for GITR+, HLA-DR+, OX40+, and CD45RO+ cells, and an increased ratio of TREG/effector-T CD40L+ cells in patients with SLE. In addition, CD40L+TREG cell frequency correlated with the SLE disease activity index (P=0.0163). In conclusion, our findings showed several abnormalities in the expression of functionally critical surface molecules in TREG and effector T cells in SLE that may be relevant to the pathogenesis of this disease. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 07/51349-2 - Avaliação fenotípica das células T regulatórias CD4+CD25+ em pacientes com lúpus erimatoso sistêmico
• Beneficiário: Luiz Eduardo Coelho Andrade
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular