The expression and significance of T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-3 and its ligand Galectin-9 in the peripheral blood of initial systemic lupus erythematosus patients / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expression of T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain (TIM)-3 and its ligand Galectin-9 in the peripheral blood of initial systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)patients,and explore their effects on SLE.Methods The percentages of CD4+TIM-3+,CD8+TIM-3+cells from 33 SLE patients and 26 normal controls were detected by flow cytometry,and the Galectin-9 gene expression of PBMCs was determined by real-time PCR The SLE Disease Activity Index(SLEDAI),C3 level and lymphocyte count were evaluated.Mann-Whitney U test was used for independent samples analysis and Spearmen's test was used for correlation analysis.Results The percentages of CD4+TIM-3+ and CD8+TIM-3+ cells were markedly increased in SLE group than those of the control group(P<0.01).In particular,the CD4+TIM-3+,CD8+TIM-3+ level Was positively correlated with SLEDAI (r=0.517,P＜0.01;r=0.400,P＜0.05);but negatively correlated with C3(r=0.487,P＜0.05;r=0.395,P＜0.05).The Galectin-9 mRNA in SLE PBMCs was higher than that of the controls(P<0.05).Conclusion TIM-3-Galectin-9 pathway may be involved in T cell immune regulation of SLE,and is related to disease activity.