Quantitative Analysis Of CD4～+ FOXP3～+ Regulatory T Cells In The Patiens With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective:CD4~+ FOXP3~+regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical in maintaining self-tolerance and preventing organ-specific autoimmunity. Their roles in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have not been clearly determined. The aim of this study was to perform a quantitative analysis of regulatory T cells in patients with SLE and investigate the roles of CD4~+ FOXP3~+ Tregs in the pathogenesis of SLE.Methods :Thirty patients with SLE (16 active, 14 inactive), and ten healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. CD4~+FOXP3~+Tregs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The corre lation between the quantity of CD4~+ FOXP3~+ Tregs in active patients with SLE and disease activity,which was assessed by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000, was to be analyzed.Results:1. The proportion of CD4~+ FOXP3~+ Tregs among other CD4~+ T lymphocytes in patients with active, inactive SLE and controls was 3.84%±1.11%, 5.95%±0.66% and 5.85%±0.70%, respectively. The quantity of CD4~+FOXP3~+Tregs in CD4~+T lymphocytes was significantly decreased in patients with active SLE compared with patients with inactive SLE and controls(P < 0.01, respectively).2.There was no liner correlation between the quantity of CD4~+ FOXP3~+ Tregs and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 scores in active patients with SLE(P=0.919).Conclusion:1. The quantity of CD4~+FOXP3~+ Tregs was decreased in active patients with SLE than those in inactive patients and normal controls, but without liner correlation with disease activity.2. CD4~+FOXP3~+ Tregs may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of SLE.