The role of CD8+ T-cell systemic lupus erythematosus pathogenesis

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex chronic immunological disease characterized by increased B cell activity and altered T cell function. Objective: To investigate relationship between T lymphocyte subsets and cortisol with the disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus patients in North India. Materials and methods: The percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the lymphocyte of SLE patients and healthy controls were determined by flow cytometry. Serum cortisol of SLE patients and healthy controls was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: A significant decrease in the percentage of CD4+ T cells and increase in the percentage of CD8+ T cells were found in patients with SLE compared to the healthy controls. Decrease in the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cell and low level of serum cortisol were found in the patients with SLE. The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cell was inversely correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). A positive correlation was observed between CD8+ T cells and SLEDAI score. Furthermore, CD8+ T cells were positively correlated with ESR in the patients with SLE. Conclusion: The results showed that low level of cortisol and high percentage of CD8+ T cells in the lymphocytes could be actively involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. Key words: CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio; cortisol; systemic lupus erythematosus; T-cell activation DOI: 10.3126/kumj.v7i3.2726 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2009) Vol.7, No.3 Issue 27, 213-219

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Evaluation of EBV- and HCMV-Specific T Cell Responses in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Patients Using a Normalized Enzyme-Linked Immunospot (ELISPOT) Assay

Journal of Immunology Research ◽

10.1155/2019/4236503 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Irene Cassaniti ◽

Lorenzo Cavagna ◽

Sandra A. Calarota ◽

Kodjo Messan Guy Adzasehoun ◽

Giuditta Comolli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

T Cell ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Cell Response ◽

T Cell Responses ◽

T Cell Response ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Cell Responses ◽

Immunosuppressed Patients

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a complex etiology. Opportunistic viral pathogens, such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), are particularly relevant. The role of the T cell response in SLE has not been deeply studied; we investigated the role of HCMV- and EBV-specific T cell responses in SLE patients also in relation to their pharmacological immunosuppressive status. PBMCs from 70 SLE patients and 50 healthy controls were stimulated with EBV- and HCMV-specific antigens, and IFN-γ-secreting T cells were quantified. We observed that both EBV- and HCMV-specific T cell responses were significantly lower in SLE patients compared with healthy subjects. We reported decreased EBV- and HCMV-specific T cell responses among medium-high immunosuppressed patients compared to low immunosuppressed patients. Immunosuppressive level could exert a role in the control of herpesviruses reactivation, even if the immunosuppressive condition of SLE remains the driving cause of skewed virus-specific T cell response.

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