Analysis of the lymphocyte cell subsets in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective To investigate the role of T lymphocyte cell subsets, B cells and NK cells in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). Methods A total of 29 SLE patients in active phase, 24 SLE patients in quiescent phase and 50 healthy controls were enrolled. The CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD3-CD16+CD56+(NK) and CD19+(B) cells in peripheral blood of SLE patients and healthy controls were detected by flow cytometry. Results Compared with the SLE patients in quiescent phase and healthy controls, there was significant difference in CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, B and NK cells in active phase SLE patients(P0.05), and no significant difference in CD8+cells in active phase SLE patients(P0.05).There was no significant difference in CD3+,CD4+,CD8+, CD3-CD16+CD56+(NK) and CD19+(B) cells between quiescent phase SLE patients and healthy controls. Conclusion Lymphocyte cell subsets may play an important role in the pathogenesis, progression and therapy of SLE.