Increased CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus: correlate with disease activity and organ involvement

ObjectiveThe increment of CD4+CD25−Foxp3+T cells has been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. However, the exact identity of this T cell subset is still unclear. Thus, we analyzed CD4+CD25−Foxp3+T cells and Treg cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells) in a large sample of Chinese SLE patients in different disease states.MethodsA total of 280 SLE patients and 38 healthy volunteers were enrolled, which included 21 patients with untreated new-onset lupus (UNOL), 13 patients with drug withdrawal more than 6 months and 246 patients with treatments. Phenotypic and functional analysis of peripheral blood CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ T cells and Treg cells were performed by flow cytometry. The correlation of CD4+CD25−Foxp3+T cells and Treg cells with disease activity, clinical indicators and organ involvement were analyzed.ResultsCD4+CD25−Foxp3+ T cells and Treg cells were significantly increased in SLE patients and showed significantly positive correlations with disease activity. CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ T cells were sig...