[Expression and significance of PD-1 on CD4(+); and CD8(+); T cells from the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

Objective To detect the expression of programmed death-1(PD-1) on CD4~+ and CD8~+ T cells from the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) and analyze its clinical implications.Methods The expression of PD-1 on the CD4~+ and CD8~+ T cells were examined in 51 SLE patients and 38 healthy controls(HCs) by flow cytometry.The proportions of PD-1 positive CD4~+ and CD8~+ T cells were compared not only between inactive or active SLE patients and HCs,but also between patients with and without lupus nephritis.The correlations of PD-1 expression with clincal manifestations and laboratory findings were analyzed.Results The proportions of CD4~+ PD-1~+ T cells significantly increased in active SLE patients as compared with HCs and inactive SLE ones(all P0.05).The proportions of CD8~+ PD-1~+ T cells were significantly higher in active and inactive SLE patients than those in HCs(all P0.05).The numbers of CD4~+ PD-1~+ and CD8~+ PD-1~+ T cells in SLE patients with nephritis were significantly higher than those in patients without nephritis(P 0.01).In SLE patients,the numbers of CD4~+ PD-1~+ and CD8~+ PD-1~+ T cells were significantly higher in ones with positive anti-dsDNA,anti-Sm,and anti-nucleosome antibodies than in corresponding negative ones;the proportions of CD4~+ PD-1~+ and CD8~+ PD-1~+ T cells were positively correlated with SLEDAl score and the amount of proteinuria,but were negatively correlated with complement C3.Conclusion The aberrations of CD4~+ PD-1~+ and CD8~+ PD-1~+ T cells were observed in patients with SLE.Increased numbers of CD4~+ PD-1~+ and CD8~+ PD-1~+ T cells were correlated with increased disease activity and the production of anti-self antibodies.