Hydroxychloroquine inhibits ultraviolet-induced expression of interleukin-10 and interferon-7 from CD4+T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the role of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in ultraviolet B (UVB)- induced expression of interleukin (IL)-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ from CD4+T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Thirty patients with SLE and 10 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. CD4+ T cells were isolated using magnetic beads from SLE patients and healthy controls. HCQ was added in culture media before and after irradiation with UVB 311 nm narrow band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB). The levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ in the supernatant were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA). Comparisons between groups were performed by t-test. Results The level of IL-10 was higher in SLE patients [(27±4) pg/ml] than that in healthy controls [(18±3) pg/ml, P=0.011]. After exposure of CD4+T cells to UVB in 45 or 100 mJ/cm2 dosages, the level of IL-10 was increased significantly in patients with active disease (P=0.022, P=0.048). After exposure of CD4+T cells to UVB in 100 mJ/cm2 dosages, the levels of IL-10 was higher in patients with active disease [(77±42) pg/ml] than patients with stable disease [(24± 4) pg/ml, P=0.029]. When CD4+ T cell were cultured with HCQ, IL-10 and IFN-γ levels in patients with active disease [(2.6±4.0), (17.5±2.3) pg/ml] were decreased significantly (P=0.018, P=0.017). HCQ reversed UVB-induced IL-10 expression in active SLE patients after exposure of CD4+T cells to UVB in 45 or 100 mJ/cm2 dosages (P=0.037, P=0.04). HCQ also reversed UVB-induced IFN-7 expression in active SLE patients and stable SLE patients after exposure to CD4+T cells with UVB in 100 mJ/cm2 dosages (P=0.013, P= 0.049). Conclusion UVB can aggravate the imbalance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. HCQ inhibits UVB-induced IL-10 and IFN-7 expression of CD4+T cells in patients with SLE, especially in patients with active disease.