Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the activation status of T lymphocytes and to measure the expression of OX40 and OX40L mRNA in peripheral blood from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE）. Methods Peripheral blood was collected from 30 patients with SLE and 15 healthy controls. The expression of CD38 and CD3 on peripheral blood T lymphocytes were quantified by using a two-color fluorescence activated cell sorter. Fluorescence-based quantitative reverse transcription PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of OX40 and OX40L mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs）. Results The coexpression levels of CD38 and CD3 were significantly increased in patients with SLE compared with healthy controls （t = 3.12, P < 0.05）. Increased expression levels of OX40 and OX40L mRNA were observed in patients with active SLE compared with those with inactive SLE and healthy controls （F = 4.13, 3.12, both P < 0.01）. The level of OX40 mRNA was positively correlated with SLE disease activity index （SLEDAI） score in the patients （r = 0.35, P < 0.05）. Conclusion Abnormally activated T lymphocytes and upregulated expression of OX40 and OX40L mRNA may play a certain role in the initiation and progression of SLE.

Key words: CD38