Study of CD28,CD152 costimulatory molecules expression on subpopulation of T cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Objective To investigate the relationship between abnormal expression of CD28, CD152 costimulatory molecules on subpopulation of T cells and the immune dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28, CD152 on the surface of T cells were labeled by immuno-fluorescence and determined by flow cytometry. Results As compared with control, CD3+CD4+ T cells were significantly higher (P0.01), while CD3+CD8+ T cells were significantly lower (P0.05). CD28 on CD4+Tcells was significantly lower (P0.05), while CD28 on CD8+T cells was neither higher nor lower(P0.05).CD152 on CD4+T and CD8+T cells were both significantly higher (P0.01). Conclusion In RA patients the initial reaction of cellular immunity is B7/CD28 pathway activation. It activates T cells, then a great deal of CD152 is secreted. It combines with B7 and inhibits T cells. The decrease of CD28 causes AICD of lymphocytes in RA patients, then induces pathological injuries. Blocking of CD152/B7 pathway is helpful in RA treatment.