Analysis of CD95 and CCR7 expression on circulating CD4+ lymphocytes revealed disparate immunoregulatory potentials in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract EN

Emerging data have implicated a critical role for CD4 in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

This study was designed to delineate the contribution of CD4 + T cells in the pathogenesis of SLE disease.

Forty-four patients (3 male : 41 female) and 20 healthy volunteers (4 male : 16 female) were included in the study.

CD4+ lymphocytes analysis was done using three-color flow cytometry with antibodies against human-CD95, a prototype cell death receptor, and the chemokine receptor-7 (CCR7) after gating for lymphocytes based on the forward and side scatter.

Serum levels of IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, TNF-a and IL-10 cytokines were assayed using ELISA.

Disease activity was assessed using the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI).

Based on the expression of CCR7 and CD95, CD4+ lymphocytes were subdivided into three particular subsets; CD4+CD95+CCR7+ cells, CD4+CD95CCR7+ cells and CD4+CD95+CCR7 cells.

Percentage of CD4+CD95+CCR7+ cell subset was significantly higher in patients with SLE with