Significance Of CD4~+CD25~+T Cells Subpopulations In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

[Objective]To investigate the frequency and ratio of CD4⁺CD25⁺T cells subpopulations in the peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus patients and compare these to measures of disease activity.[Materials and Methods]Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) from 35 patients including 20 active SLE and 18 healthy controls were counted and stained for CD4 and CD25, Cells were examined by flow cytometry. Disease activity was assessed by systemic lupus erythematousus activity index (SLEDAI).[Results]The frequency of total CD4⁺CD25⁺T cells,CD4⁺CD25^highT cells and CD4⁺CD25^intT cells in SLE patients was not significant different compared with healthy controls, and was not correlated to SLEDAI scores, but the index of CD4⁺CD25^high T:CD4⁺CD25^intT ratio in active SLE patients was significant decreased compared with inactive SLE and control groups, and the ratio was correlated to SLEDAI scores.[Conclusion]This study demonstrates that CD4⁺CD25^high T: CD4⁺CD25^intT ratio are decreased in the peripheral blood of active SLE patients. It appears that unbalance between regulatory CD4+CD25^high and effector CD4⁺CD25^int T cells plays an important role in the pathogenesis of active SLE.