Expression of regulatory T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

【Objective】 To investigate the significance of CD4+ CD25+ CD127-regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of patients with Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).【Methods】 Flow cytometry was used to quantify cell populations.CD4+,CD4+ CD127-T cells and CD4+ CD25+ CD127-T cells were considered.【Results】 The ratio of CD4+ T cells in lymphocytes was significantly highter in active SLEs than in inactive SLEs.Compared with inactive SLEs,active SLEs had significantly decreased CD4+ CD127-and CD4+ CD25+ CD127-Treg.Between inactive SLEs and controls,there was no significant difference,in CD4+ T lymphocytes,CD4+ CD127-Treg and CD4+ CD25+ CD127-Treg.【Conclusion】 Our data indicates that patients with active SLE have deficient regulatory T cells,and regular T cells probably have an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.