S Chen1, D Hu, X Shi, N Shen, Y Gu, C Bao. 1. Department of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200001, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the imbalance of Th1/Th2-type cytokines in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its relation to disease activity. METHODS: Intracellular cytokines were determined by flow-cytometry following whole-blood culture. RESULTS: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) > 10 had statistically significantly fewer CD4+ or CD8+ T cells producing IFN-gamma than patients with SLEDAI = 0, SLEDAI 1-10 or healthy controls (P < 0.01, P < 0.01 or P < 0.05, respectively). Patients with SLEDAI > 10 also had decreased ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 positive CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, compared with patients with SLEDAI = 0, SLEDAI 1-10 or healthy controls (P < 0.05). The decreased Th1 or Tc1 cells and the ratios of IFN-gamma: IL-4 positive CD4+ T-cells were significantly correlated with disease activity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SLE is characterized by an imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 cytokines. The decreased Th1 or Tc1 cells and the Th1/Th2 ratio are related to disease activity.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the imbalance of Th1/Th2-type cytokines in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its relation to disease activity. METHODS: Intracellular cytokines were determined by flow-cytometry following whole-blood culture. RESULTS:Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) > 10 had statistically significantly fewer CD4+ or CD8+ T cells producing IFN-gamma than patients with SLEDAI = 0, SLEDAI 1-10 or healthy controls (P < 0.01, P < 0.01 or P < 0.05, respectively). Patients with SLEDAI > 10 also had decreased ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 positive CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, compared with patients with SLEDAI = 0, SLEDAI 1-10 or healthy controls (P < 0.05). The decreased Th1 or Tc1 cells and the ratios of IFN-gamma: IL-4 positive CD4+ T-cells were significantly correlated with disease activity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:SLE is characterized by an imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 cytokines. The decreased Th1 or Tc1 cells and the Th1/Th2 ratio are related to disease activity.
Authors: Ana Henriques; Luís Inês; Maria Luísa Pais; José António Pereira da Silva; Artur Augusto Paiva Journal: Clin Rheumatol Date: 2011-10-26 Impact factor: 2.980