What is the Role of Cutaneous Lymphocyte Antigen in the Pathogenesis of Behçet’s Disease: A Randomized, Prospective Double-Blinded Study

Background : Behcet’s Disease (BD) is a chronic systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. Cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) has an important role in the migration of T cells into the inflamed skin. Objective : Our aim was to investigate the relationship between CLA+T cell and clinical activity of BD. Methods : A total of 80 Behcet patients and 20 healthy controls were involved in this study. BD patients were divided into four groups: ocular group genital ulcer group vessel/skin lesion group, inactive group. 10.000 cells in peripheral blood were used to assess the expression levels of CD3, CD4, CD8, CLA+CD4 and CLA+CD8 in lymphocytes with CLA/FITC clone HECA-452 kit. Results : Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and lymphocyte CLA+CD8 levels were found to be higher, whereas CD4/CD8 and CLA+CD4/CLA+CD8 ratios were found lower in patients with BD when compared to controls. Conclusions : CLA may be an important finding in the determination of etiopathogenesis, disease activity and prognosis of BD.