Expression of CD_1 and cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

[Objective] To investigate CD1 and cytokines expression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). [Methods] The percentage of CD1c+ and CD1d+ cells and lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of 28 SLE patients were tested with flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-2, IFN-r, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured using ELISA method. [Results] The percentages of CD1c+ cells (5.4±1.3)% and CD1d+ cells (5.3±1.5)% increased in SLE patients in active stage, with significant difference from those of the controls (P 0.01). Serum IFN-r and IL-2 levels in active SLE patients were significantly lower than those in normal controls (P 0.01), while serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels were significantly higher (P 0.01). Serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels were found significantly correlated with CD1c or CD1d expressions (P 0.01 or P 0.05). No significant correlations were found between the levels of serum cytokines and serum ANA, C3, C4, CRP, ACA, anti-dsDNA antibody and SLEDAI except correlation between IL-4 and C3 (r =-0.61, P 0.01). [Conclusion] Presentation of self-antigens by CD1 may be likely to elicit a Th2-type response, with resultant rapid production of Th2-type cytokines.