系统性红斑狼疮初发患者外周血T细胞免疫球蛋白及黏蛋白域蛋白－3及其配体半乳糖凝集素－9表达水平和意义

The expression and significance of T cell immunoglobulin domain and m ucin domain-3 and its ligand Galectin-9 in the peripheral blood of initial systemic lupus erythematosus patients

目的通过检测T细胞免疫球蛋白及黏蛋白域蛋白（TIM）-3及其配体半乳糖凝集素-9在系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）初发患者外周血的表达水平，探讨其在SLE发病中的可能作用。方法选取SLE初发患者33例，健康对照组26名，采用流式细胞术检测2组CD4＋TIM-3＋、CD8＋TIM-3＋细胞表达水平；实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应（PCR）技术比较2组外周血单个核细胞（PBMCs）半乳糖凝集素-9mRNA表达水平；同时记录SLE组SLE疾病活动指数（SLEDAI）、补体c3水平和外周血淋巴细胞计数。两独立样本比较采用Mann—WhitnevU检验；相关关系采用Spearman等级相关分析。结果SLE组CD4CFIM-3＋、CD8＋TIM-3＋细胞比率显著高于对照组（P〈0．01）；其中CD4＋TIM-3＋、CD8q＇IM-3＋细胞数目与SLEDAI呈正相关（r=0．517，P〈0．01；r=0．400，P〈0．05）；与补体C3水平呈负相关（r-0．487，P〈0．05；r=-0．395，P〈0．05）。SLE组PBMCs半乳糖凝集素-9mRNA表达较对照组显著上调（P〈0．05）。结论TIM-3-半乳糖凝集素-9通路可能参与了SLET细胞免疫调节，并与疾病活动眭相关。

Objective To investigate the expression of T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain （TIM）-3 and its ligand Galectin-9 in the peripheral blood of initial systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE） patients, and explore their effects on SLE. Methods The percentages of CD4CFIM-3＋, CD8＋TIM-3＋ cells from 33 SLE patients and 26 normal controls were detected by flow cytometry, and the Galectin-9 gene expression of PBMCs was determined by real-time PCR. The SLE Disease Activity Index （SLEDAI）, C3 level and lymphocyte count were evaluated. Mann-Whitney U test was used for independent samples analysis and Spearmen＇s test was used for correlation analysis. Results The percentages of CD4＋TIM-3＋ and CD8＋TIM-3＋ cells were markedly increased in SLE group than those of the control group （P〈0.01）. In particular, the CD4＋ TIM-3＋, CD8＋TIM-3＋ level was positively correlated with SLEDAI （r=0.517, P〈0.01 ; r=0.400, P〈0.05）; but negatively correlated with C3 （r=-0.487, P〈0.05; r=-0.395, P〈0.05）. The Galectin-9 mRNA in SLE PBMCs was higher than that of the controls （P〈0.05）. Conclusion TIM-3-Galectin-9 pathway may be involved in T cell immune regulation of SLE, and is related to disease activity.