Co stimulatory molecules cd80 and cd134 are associated with lupus nephritis, skin lesions and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract EN

Objective : Studying the role of CD80, CD134 and soluble CD134 ligand (CD134L) costimulatory molecules in SLE, and their correlation with disease activity and renal involvement.

Also, correlation between skin lesions, SLE activity and costimulatory molecules expression.

Methodology : Forty patients with SLE and 40 apparently healthy controls were included in this the study.

Twenty patients had biopsy-proven lupus nephritis.

Clinical disease activity was assessed according to systemic lupus erythematosus disease index (SLEDAI).

CD4 + T cell populations in the peripheral blood were analyzed for the expression of co-stimulatory markers CD134 and CD80.

CD134L in the serum of SLE patients and controls was also measured.

Results : SLE patients showed an increased soluble CD134L concentration in the serum and increased frequency of peripheral CD4 + T cells expressing high levels of CD80 and CD134 compared to healthy controls.

These costimulatory molecules were significantly higher in SLE patients with lupus nephritis compared to patients without nephritis and they were significantly correlated with SLEDAI.

Our study revealed also that the presence of skin lesions specific for LE was associated with a milder disease, also patients with only LE-nonspecific skin lesions showed an increased frequency of peripheral CD4 + T cells expressing high levels of CD80 and CD134 and soluble CD134L concentration in the serum compared to those with only LE-specific skin lesions.

Conclusions : Increased expression of CD80 and CD134 on CD4 + T cells and increased serum concentration of soluble CD134L are associated with increased incidence of renal disease, disease activity and more serious skin lesions in SLE.