RESUMO
The monocyte/macrophage lineage cells were found involved in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) disease. The naïve macrophages are activated either to M1 cells with proinflammatory roles or to M2 cells that function to resolve inflammation with tissue repair. Recently, cells with dual phenotypes were detected in SSc disease. So, we aimed in this study to demonstrate different monocyte/macrophage phenotypes in peripheral cells from a group of Egyptian SSc patients, correlating percentages of these cells with the clinical findings in patients. The study participants comprised 41 patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc disease and 25 healthy individuals as controls. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory tests were conducted for SSc patients. Different phenotypes of the monocyte/macrophage subsets were identified in peripheral blood of patients and controls by flow cytometry for characteristic M1 (CD80, CD86, and TLR4) and M2 (CD204, CD163 and CD206) markers. SSc patients showed higher percentages of peripheral cells of the M1, M2, and mixed M1/M2 phenotypes within the monocyte/macrophage lineage compared to controls. Different cell phenotypes were associated significantly with the disease duration, modified Rodnan's score, the Medsger skin score, and the Medsger lung in SSc patients. Some cells with the M1/M2 phenotypes were higher in SSc patients with pitting scars, arthritis, and myalgia.