Expression of CD226 on T lymphocyte subsets from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective Expression of the CD226 in T cell subsets from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) was measured. To investigate whether function of CD226 antigen in T cell subsets activation process from patients with SLE is correlated with the pathogenesis of SLE. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 31 SLE and 30 healthy volunteers were quantified by three colours immuno fluorescent staining method and using flow cytometric analysis. Results Percentage of CD226 positive from SLE on CD3 +,CD4 + and CD8 + cells increased, as compared with that found in the control group( P 0.05). The expression of CD226 on CD3 +,CD4 + and CD8 + T cells from active and inactive SLE were all significantly higher than that found in the control group( P 0.05). However, there was no difference between that from active SLE and that from the inactive SLE ( P 0.05).Conclusion There are some abnormal activated T cell subsets in SLE. The expression of CD226 + on CD3 +,CD4 + and CD8 + T cells with SLE increased. So CD226 may play an important role in the mechanisms of immune activation and immunity mechanism in SLE.