The clinical significance of the transforming growth factor-β receptor I expression in na?ve CD4 + T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of the transforming growth factor-β receptor I (TGF-βRⅠ) expression in na?ve CD4 + T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods:Na?ve CD4 + T cells were purified using magnetic microbeads from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of SLE patients and healthy controls. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect TGF-βRⅠ mRNA level, and flow cytometry was used to detect the percentage of CD69 +CD4 + T cells. Data were analyzed by t test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results:The level of TGF-βR Ⅰ mRNA in na?ve CD4 + T cells from SLE patients was significantly lower than that in healthy controls [(0.674±0.873) vs (1.445±1.112), t=2.301, P<0.05]. The TGF-βR Ⅰ mRNA level was negatively correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) ( r=-0.376, P<0.05), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ( r=-0.376, P<0.05), serum creatinine ( r=-0.323, P<0.05) and 24 h urine protein ( r=-0.331, P<0.05), and positively correlated with serum com-plement C3 ( r=0.528, P<0.01). The level of TGF-βRⅠ mRNA level in na?ve CD4 + T cells in SLE patients with renal involvement was lower than that in SLE patients without renal involvement [(0.525±0.536) vs (1.071±1.007), t=2.198, P<0.05]. The TGF-βR Ⅰ mRNA level in the na?ve CD4 + T cells in anti-dsDNA antibody positive group was lower than that in the anti-dsDNA antibody negative group [(0.344±0.315) vs (0.958±1.076), t=2.277, P<0.05]. The expression of TGF-βRⅠ mRNA in na?ve CD4 + T cells from SLE patients was reduced after 24 h stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 beads [(0.047±0.013) vs (1.008±0.129), t=14.38, P<0.01], which was partially reversed by dexamethasone treatment [(0.240±0.042) vs (0.047±0.013), t=7.845, P<0.01]. Meanwhile, dexamethasone significantly decreased the expression of CD69 in CD4 + T cells [(15.0±2.1)% vs(34.9±2.0)%, t=32.57, P<0.01]. Conclusion:The abnormally low expression of TGF-βRⅠ in na?ve CD4 + T cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. Glucocorticoid treatment can upregulate the expression of TGF-βRI and inhibit the activation of T cells, This suggests suggesting that TGF-βRⅠ may be a potential target for SLE treatment.