Foxp3 expression in CD4~+CD25~+CD127~(low/-) regulatory T cells and its immunosuppressive effect in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the role of peripheral blood T regulatory cells (Treg) markers, as well as different Treg cells in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and explore the correla-tion betweenCD127 and Foxp3. The immunosuppressive effect of CD4~+CD25~+CD127~(low/-) T cell is explored. Methods ①Four-color direct fluorescence-labeled and multi-parameter flow cytometry were used to detect peripheral blood CD4~+CD25~+ T cells and other Treg cells accounted for the proportion of CD4~+ T cells in 40 SLE patients (19 cases with active disease 21 cases in remission) and 15 healthy controls. Meanwhile, its correlations with anti-dsDNA antibodies among 7 groups were analyzed.②Flow cytometry sorting combined with cell culture were applied to detect and analyze the proliferation inhibition effect of CD4~+CD25~+CD127~(low/-)regulatory T cells to CD4~+CD25~-effector T cell.Two independent samples t test,ANOVA for repeated measures,Pearson's correlation and Spearman's correlation were used for statistical analysis.Results ①The cell ratio of the 7 groups of SLE patients was(6.1±1.7)%,(3.1±1.3)%,(2.1±1.0)%,(1.6±0.3)%(0.97±O.28)%,(0.69±0.23)%and(O.71±0.35)%respectively.In the SLE group,the proportion of the first 6 groups was lower than the control group (P<0.05).For CD4~+CD127~(low/-)Foxp3~+,there wag no difference in the two groups(P>O.05).②CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+,CD4~+CD25~(high)Foxp3~+ T cells and IgA ratio Was positivelv correlated.While CD4~+CD25~(high)CD127~(low/-) T cells and anti-SSB antibodies was positively correlated in SLE patients.③The seven group of cells,in addition to CD4~+CDl27~(low/-)Foxp3~+ T cell ratio were lower in early-onset SLE patients than those in patients at remission(P<0.05).④The cell propor-tion of the first 6 groups was lower than that of post steroid treatment(P<0.05).⑤Foxp3 expression of CD4~+CD25~+T ceils and CD4~+CD25~(high) T cells was positively correlated with low expression of CDl27 in the early onset group,remission group and the control group.⑥The CD4~+CD25~- effect T cells could be suppressed by their own CD4~+CD25~+CDl27~(low/-) regulatonry T cells in vitro,and the inhibition of SLE patients was significantly lower than controls.Conclusion The immunological abnormality of SLE may be associated with the qnatity and functional defects of immune regulatory T cells.CDl27 may be a possible alternative to Foxp3 regulatory T cell-specific surface markers.