Elevated expression of TIGIT on CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells correlates with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

It is well-known that lymphocytes play an important role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory domains (TIGIT) is one of immunosuppressive costimulatory molecules that mediates an inhibitory effect. However, its roles in SLE are poorly understood. This study was designed to investigate the correlation between the frequencies of TIGIT-expressing CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes and SLE. Patients with SLE were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Medical history, clinical manifestations, physical examination and laboratory measurements were recorded. The expression of TIGIT on CD3+ T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry. The frequencies of TIGIT-expressing CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes in patients with SLE were further analyzed for correlations with markers of autoimmune response, inflammation, urine proteins and disease activity in SLE. The frequency of TIGIT-expressing CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes was significantly elevated in SLE patients compared with healthy controls (P < 0.0001). The frequency of TIGIT-expressing CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes in patients with SLE was increased significantly in subjects with high anti-dsDNA titer (P = 0.026), high anti-Sm titer (P = 0.026), and high levels of urine microalbumin (P = 0.046). Furthermore, The frequency of TIGIT-expressing CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes was found to be positively correlated with the Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score in SLE (r2 = 0.082; P = 0.044). In SLE, the frequency of TIGIT-expressing CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes was elevated and associated with the disease activity.

众所周知，淋巴细胞在系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）中起重要作用。含免疫球蛋白和免疫受体酪氨酸抑制基序的T细胞免疫受体（TIGIT）是介导抑制作用的免疫抑制性共刺激分子之一。然而，其在SLE中的作用尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨表达TIGIT的CD3 + CD4 + T淋巴细胞频率与SLE之间的相关性。 SLE患者来自南昌大学第一附属医院。记录病史、临床表现、体格检查和实验室检测结果。通过流式细胞术测定TIGIT在CD3 + T淋巴细胞、B淋巴细胞、单核细胞、中性粒细胞、CD3 + CD4 + T淋巴细胞和CD3 + CD8 + T淋巴细胞上的表达。进一步分析SLE患者中表达TIGIT的CD3 + CD4 + T淋巴细胞频率与自身免疫反应标志物、炎症、尿蛋白和SLE疾病活动度的相关性。 与健康对照组相比，SLE患者中表达TIGIT的CD3 + CD4 + T淋巴细胞频率显著升高（P < 0.0001）。在抗双链DNA抗体滴度高（P = 0.026）、抗Sm抗体滴度高（P = 0.026）和尿微量白蛋白水平高（P = 0.046）的SLE患者中，表达TIGIT的CD3 + CD4 + T淋巴细胞频率显著增加。此外，发现SLE中表达TIGIT的CD3 + CD4 + T淋巴细胞频率与疾病活动指数（SLEDAI）评分呈正相关（r2 = 0.082；P = 0.044）。 在SLE中，表达TIGIT的CD3 + CD4 + T淋巴细胞频率升高且与疾病活动度相关。