期刊
LUPUS
卷 24, 期 9, 页码 909-917出版社
SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.1177/0961203314567750
关键词
Systemic lupus erythematosus; follicular helper T cells; autoantibody production; germinal center; interleukin 21
类别
Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies. Recently, a specific highly activated T helper cell subset, follicular helper T (Tfh) cell, has emerged as a key immunoregulator of germinal center (GC) formation and high-affinity antibody production. To identify the pathophysiological role of Tfh cells in SLE patients, we compared the phenotypic and functional properties of circulating Tfh-like cells in lupus patients to GC-Tfh cells, and correlated the percentage of Tfh-like cells with autoantibody production and SLE disease activity. Methods Peripheral blood was collected from 29 lupus patients and 25 healthy controls. Tonsils were obtained surgically from non-SLE controls and used as a source of GC-Tfh cells. Tfh cells were defined by their signature surface markers (CXCR5, ICOS, CD57, PD-1 and BTLA) via flow cytometry. IL-21 expression levels from Tfh cells were measured by real-time PCR and intracellular staining. The function of Tfh cells was carried out by co-culture of Tfh cells and autologous B cells invitro. IgG in the culture supernatant was detected by ELISA. Results The frequency of circulating Tfh-like cells was significantly increased in SLE patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.05). The Tfh-like cells not only display similar phenotypes and signature cytokines with GC-Tfh cells, but also are capable of driving B cells to differentiate into IgG-secreting plasma cells invitro. In addition, the frequency of Tfh-like cells correlated positively with the percentage of circulating plasmablasts, levels of serum anti-dsDNA antibodies and ANA. Conclusion The accumulated circulating Tfh-like cells in lupus patients share phenotypic and functional properties with GC-Tfh cells. Tfh-like cells may serve as perpetuators in the pathogenesis of SLE by enhancing the self-reactive B cell clones to further differentiate into auto antibody-producing plasmablasts, and ultimately cause autoimmunity.
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