The expression of CD73 in CD4+ regulatory T cells in patients with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华内科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the level of CD73 expression in CD4+ regulatory T(Treg) cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE ) and explore its role in the pathogenesis of SLE.Methods We selected 29 untreated/active SLE patients and 22 healthy controls. Frequencies of CD4+ CD25+CD73+ T cells and levels of FOXP3 protein expressed in CD4+ CD73+ CD4+ CDhi25, CD4+ CDhi25, CD4+ CD25+ T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the levels of SLE disease activity index ( SLEDAI), C reactive protein (CRP), ESR,immunoglobulin and complement were measured. Results The percent of CD4+ CD25+ CD73+ T cells was decreased in new-onset SLE compared with healthy controls[(1.25±1.32) % vs (2.35±1.09) %, P ＜0. 01], and it had no correlation with the levels of SLEDAI, CRP, ESR, et al and anti-C1qand anti-nucleosome antibodies ( P ＞ 0.05 for each). Both in groups of new-onset SLE and healthy controls, CD73 level expressed in CD4+ CDhi25CDhi25T cells[(29.05 ± 12. 53)%, (43.35 ± 10. 09)%]was higher than that expressed in CD4+ CD25+ T cells[( 17.48 ± 6. 92 ) %, ( 29. 98 ± 10. 39 ) %, P ＜ 0.01]. In both SLE patients and healthy controls, levels of FOXP3 protein expressed in CD4+ CD73+ T cells[(65. 36 ± 14. 40)%,(63.80±14.05)%]and CD+4 CDhi25CD4+ CDhi25 T cells[(67. 30 ± 13.04)%, (56. 30 ±9. 21 )%]were higher than those in CD4+ CD25+T cells[(45.70 ± 12. 74)%, (43.98 ±5. 17)% ,P ＜0. 001], while it had no significant difference between the CD4+ CDhi25CD4+ CDhi25 and CD4+ CD73+ T cells(P＞0.05). Conclusion These results demonstrate that CD73 may be a new surface marker of regulatory T cells, and the abnormal expression of CD73 in Treg cells may participate in the pathogenesis of SLE.