Imbalance of different types of CD 4 + forkhead box protein 3 ( Fo xP3) + T cells in patients with new‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Summary The aim of this study was to examine the numbers of CD 4 + CD 25 − forkhead box protein 3 ( F oxP3) + , CD 4 + CD 25 + F oxP3 + and CD 4 + CXCR 5 + F oxP3 + T cells in patients with new‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE ). The numbers of CD 4 + CD 25 − F oxP3 + , CD 4 + CD 25 + F oxP3 + and CD 4 + CXCR 5 + F oxP3 + T cells and the concentrations of serum interleukin ( IL) ‐10 in 23 patients and 20 healthy controls ( HC ) were measured. The potential correlations between CD 4 + F oxP3 + T cells, serum IL ‐10 and clinical measures in SLE patients were analysed. In comparison with that in the HC , significantly reduced numbers of CD 4 + CD 25 + F oxP3 + and CD 4 + CXCR 5 + F oxP3 + T cells, but increased numbers of CD 4 + CD 25 − F oxP3 + T cells, were detected, accompanied by significantly lower levels of serum IL ‐10 in the patients. Stratification analysis indicated the numbers of CD 4 + CD 25 + F oxP3 + and CD 4 + CXCR 5 + F oxP3 + T cells and serum IL ‐10 levels in the patients with seropositive anti‐ds DNA were significantly less than that in those with seronegative anti‐ds DNA . Treatment with the anti‐ SLE therapy, particularly with prednisone, leflunomide and methotrexate, significantly improved the imbalance of these types of F oxP3 + T cells and increased the concentrations of serum IL ‐10 in the drug‐responding patients. The numbers of CD 4 + CD 25 + F oxP3 + T cells were correlated negatively with the values of SLE disease activity index ( SLEDAI), whereas the numbers of CD 4 + CD 25 − F oxP3 + T cells were correlated positively with the values of SLEDAI , erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR) and serum C 3. In addition, the concentrations of serum IL ‐10 were correlated positively with the numbers of CD 4 + CD 25 + F oxP3 + T cells, but negatively with the values of SLEDAI , serum C 3, CRP and ESR in these patients. Our data indicate that the imbalance of different types of F oxP3 + CD 4 + T cells may contribute to the development of SLE in C hinese patients.