The changes of CD4~+CD25~+ T cells and expression of Foxp3 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective To investigate if CD4+CD25+ regulator T cells (Treg) and transcription factor Foxp3 is related with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by quantify CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood from SLE patients after treatment by high-dose glucocorticoids.Methods Flow cytometry was used to analyze the proportion of CD4+CD25+ T and CD4+CD25 highT cells in peripheral1blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The expression of Foxp3 mRNA in PBMC was detected by RT-PCR.Results After treatment, the proportion of CD4+CD25+T/CD4+Tcells and CD4+CD25 highT /CD4+Tcells were significantly higher in SLE group than those in control group (P0.05), but the expression of Foxp3 mRNA had no difference between SLE patients and controls (P0.05).Conclusions The changes of CD4+CD25+ Treg cell in number and function might participate in onset of SLE. The glucocorticoid may increase CD4+CD25+Treg frequency to treat SLE.