Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
BAFFR expression in circulating T follicular helper (CD4 + CXCR5 + PD-1 + ) and T peripheral helper (CD4 + CXCR5 − PD-1 + ) cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors' conclusion
This study emphasizes the importance of cTfh and Tph cells in SLE pathogenesis.
Study context
- Population
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and healthy subjects
- Participants
- 43 vs 12
- Exposure
- SLE patients vs healthy subjects
- SLEn = 43
- Healthy subjects (HS)n = 12reference
- Outcome
- Association of cTfh (CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+) and Tph (CD4+CXCR5-PD-1+) subpopulations with BAFF system expression and clinical activity in SLE
Methodological detailsflow cytometry, ELISA
- Flow cytometry
- ELISA
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
cTfh and Tph cells, BAFF system and disease activity
- Significantly increased percentage of Circulating T follicular helper (cTfh) and T peripheral helper (Tph) cells in SLE vs HS, higher in clearly active disease
- Markedly higher IL-21-producing cTfh and Tph cells in SLE vs HS
- cTfh and Tph cells positively correlated with disease activity in SLE
- Tph cells negatively correlated with CD19+CXCR5+ B cells and positively with CD19+CXCR5- B cells
- Low expression of mBAFF, TACI and BCMA on cTfh and Tph cells in SLE and HS
- Decreased BAFFR on cTfh and Tph cells in clearly active vs mildly active/nonactive SLE
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Serum IL-21, CXCL13 and BAFF higher in SLE than HS
- CXCL13 correlated with disease activity
- Non-significant correlations between T cell subpopulations and IL-21, CXCL13 and BAFF levels
Original publication
BAFFR expression in circulating T follicular helper (CD4 + CXCR5 + PD-1 + ) and T peripheral helper (CD4 + CXCR5 − PD-1 + ) cells in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. Published 17 July 2023. doi:10.
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