Decreased CD4+CD45RA+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus can recover after separation from patient's sera

• Published in: Journal of dermatological science Vol. 7; no. 3; p. 185
• Main Authors: Nobutoh, T, Kohda, M, Ueki, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01-06-1994
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Calcium - metabolism; CD4 Antigens - analysis; Female; Humans; Intracellular Membranes - metabolism; Leukocyte Common Antigens - analysis; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - blood; Lymphocyte Count; Lymphocytes - immunology; Lymphocytes - metabolism; Lymphocytes - pathology; Male; Middle Aged; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0923-1811
• DOI: 10.1016/0923-1811(94)90094-9

Decrease in CD4+CD45RA+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has been reported. In this study, mononuclear cells were separated from peripheral blood of SLE patients, and the CD4+CD45RA+ cells were counted by flow cytometry just after separation and also 1 week after incubation in vitro. Furthermore, healthy lymphocytes were incubated with SLE patient's sera, and the Ca2+ level was measured to investigate the interaction of patient's sera with healthy lymphocytes. The CD4+CD45RA+ lymphocytes were found to be decreased in number on the first day just after separation of lymphocytes, but recovered to normal levels after 1 week culture without patient's sera. The intracellular Ca2+ level in normal lymphocytes increased 1 min after incubation with patient's sera, but not with healthy control sera. These results suggest that CD4+CD45RA+ cells are persistently activated in the peripheral blood of SLE patients, and that their sera contain some extrinsic factors which could activate the lymphocytes.