FOXP 3+ and CD 39+ regulatory T cells in subtypes of cutaneous lupus erythematosus

T Gambichler, J Pätzholz, L Schmitz… - Journal of the …, 2015 - Wiley Online Library
T Gambichler, J Pätzholz, L Schmitz, N Lahner, A Kreuter
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2015Wiley Online Library
Background Lupus erythematosus (LE) is an autoimmune disease in which regulatory T
cells play a pathogenetic role. Objectives We aimed to assess and compare the quantities of
lesional Tregs in subtypes of cutaneous LE (CLE) including chronic discoid LE (CDLE), LE
tumidus (LET) and subacute CLE (SCLE). Methods Thirty‐nine patients with CLE were
enrolled in the study. Immunohistochemistry was performed for CD 4, CD 8, FOXP 3 and CD
39. Results We studied nine CDLE patients, 21 LET patients and nine patients with SCLE …
Background
Lupus erythematosus (LE) is an autoimmune disease in which regulatory T cells play a pathogenetic role.
Objectives
We aimed to assess and compare the quantities of lesional Tregs in subtypes of cutaneous LE (CLE) including chronic discoid LE (CDLE), LE tumidus (LET) and subacute CLE (SCLE).
Methods
Thirty‐nine patients with CLE were enrolled in the study. Immunohistochemistry was performed for CD4, CD8, FOXP3 and CD39.
Results
We studied nine CDLE patients, 21 LET patients and nine patients with SCLE. SCLE lesions [37 (0–134)] showed a significantly (P = 0.024) decreased percentage of CD4+ cells when compared with CDLE [125 (0–146)] and LET [124 (0–240)] lesions. Moreover, the CD4/CD8 ratio in SCLE lesions [0.7 (0.5–1.8)] was significantly (P = 0.027) decreased when compared with CDLE [1.9 (1.5–2.8)] and LET [1.6 (0.8–2.9)] lesions. FOXP3 immunopositivity was significantly (P = 0.017) decreased in LET [0 (0–6)] and SCLE [1 (0–2)] lesions when compared with CDLE [6 (0–38)]. Moreover, in LET [2 (0–6)] and SCLE [2 (0–2)], we observed a significantly (P = 0.0049) diminished CD39‐immunoreactivity when compared with CDLE [4 (2–12)]. CD4+ cell count is a significant (P = 0.0133) negative predictor for the diagnosis of SCLE (Odds ratio 0.978, 95% CI 0.960–0.99).
Conclusions
Our data indicate that there are differences in quantities of lesional T helper cells, CD4/CD8 ratio and Tregs among subtypes of CLE. Interestingly, a more significant decrease in Tregs, which likely reflects greater loss of immune‐tolerance, is observed in the more photosensitive subtypes of CLE such as SCLE and LET.
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