Effects of altered IFNAR expression on CD4+ CD25+ treg cell dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

• Published in: Sichuan da xue xue bao. Journal of Sichuan University. Yi xue ban Vol. 46; no. 2; p. 209
• Main Authors: He, Yan, Peng, Yun, Tan, Chun-yu, Liu, Yi, Yan, Bing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: China 01.03.2015
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Case-Control Studies; Cell Separation; Cells, Cultured; CTLA-4 Antigen - metabolism; Flow Cytometry; Forkhead Transcription Factors - metabolism; Gene Expression; Humans; Interferon-alpha - pharmacology; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - physiopathology; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt - metabolism; Receptors, Interferon - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - pathology
• ISSN: 1672-173X

To explore the role of type I interferon (IFNalpha) on the function of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Twenty patients with newly-onset active SLE and 20 healthy controls were recruited in this study. The expressions of type I interferon a receptor (IFNAR) on Treg cells were analyzed using flow cytometry. CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells were purified by magnetic-activated cell sorter (MACS). The function of these cells was assessed in vitro with or without IFNalpha (500 U/mL). The effect of exogenous IFNalpha on the apoptosis of Treg cells and the expression level of FOXP3, CTLA-4, and pAKT in Treg cells were analyzed using flow cytometry. Results The expression levels of IFNAR1 on CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells were significantly higher in the SLE patients than in the healthy controls (P=0.0006). There was a positive correlation between the expression levels of IFNAR on Treg cells and the SLEDAI scores in the SLE patients. Exogenous IFNalpha impaired the suppressive cap