CD4(+) CD52(lo) T-cell expression contributes to the development of Check for systemic lupus erythematosus

摘要

The cell-surface glycoprotein CD52 is widely expressed in lymphocytes. CD4(+)CD52(hi) T cells are functioning suppressor CD4(+)T cells. We investigated the role of the immune regulation of CD4(+)CD52 T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CD4(+)CD52(lo) T cells were increased in SLE patients, in positive correlation with SLEDAI, anti-ds-DNA antibody, and IgG concentration. Circulating follicular helper-like T cells (Tfh-like cells) were also increased in SLE, in positive correlation with CD4(+)CD52(lo) T cells. Chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) expression in CD4(+)CD52(lo) T cells was increased. In vitro experiments using CD4 T cells of SLE patients showed that thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), a ligand of CCR8, contributed to the development of CD4(+)CD525(lo) T cells into CD4(+)CD52(lo) T cells. Our findings suggest that CD4(+)CD52(lo) T-cell upregulation is involved in the production of pathogens by autoantibodies, and TARC may contribute to the development of SLE through an aberrant induction of CD4(+)CD52(lo) T cells. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.