Abstract

Objective To investigate the ratios of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory cells (Tregs) and NK/NKT cells in peripheral blood of patients of lupus nephritis and to explore their contribution on the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis. Methods Patients of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with no renal involvement, lupus nephritis and healthy controls were studied.Flow cytometry was utilized to quantify the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs, CD3+ CD57+ NKT cells, CD3-CD57+ NK, CD3+ CD56+ NKT cells, CD3-CD56+ NK cells and CD3-CD20+ B cells in peripheral blood.Renal biopsy was performed for patients with lupus nephritis.Urine protein and antinuclear antibody were also detected. Results The mean percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs in the peripheral blood of patients with lupus nephritis was significantly lower than the control group (t=1.99, P=0.03), while CD3+ CD57+ NKT from lupus nephritis was significantly higher compared with control (t=1.98, P=0.02). However, levels of CD3-CD57+ NKT cells, CD3+ CD56+ NKT cells, CD3-CD56+ NKT cells and CD3-CD20+ B cells did not show a significant change. Conclusions CD4+ CD25+ Tregs may play an crucial role to prevent the occurrence and progression of lupus nephritis, while CD3+ CD57+ NKT cells in the peripheral blood from patients with lupus nephritis may exert an important effect on kidney damage. Key words: Lupus nephritis; Flow cytometery; CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells; NKT cells; NK cells

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