Quantitative and qualitative normal regulatory T cells are not capable of inducing suppression in SLE patients due to T-cell resistance

Abstract

Previous reports have suggested that regulatory T cells (Treg) are abnormal in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In the present work, we quantified CD4⁺FOXP3⁺ Treg cells in patients with SLE and found no quantitative alterations. However, we found a clear defect in suppression assays. Surprisingly, SLE-derived Treg cells exhibited a normal phenotype and functional capacity. Conversely, SLE-derived CD4⁺CD25⁻ effector T cells resisted suppression by autologous and allogeneic regulatory cells. Our findings strongly suggest that the defect in T-cell suppression observed in SLE is because of effector cell resistance and not because of an abnormal regulatory function.

Keywords

regulatory T cells suppression systemic lupus erythematosus

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