Alpha beta double negative T cells in children with systemic lupus erythematosus: The relation to disease activity...

We aimed to investigate alpha beta double negative (αβ DN) T-cell percentages in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and their relation to disease activity and organ involvement.

This prospective study was carried out over a period of 12 months and included 21 JSLE patients and 20 healthy matched controls. SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) scores were recorded in addition to αβ DN T-cell percentages measurement at enrollment and after remission.

Enrolled patients (n = 21) were females with age range 10-17 years. Patients were followed up for a duration ranging 5-9 months. αβ DN T-cell percentages were higher in cases during activity [median (IQR): 3.7 (3.0-5.7)] versus remission [median (IQR): 1.4 (1.2-1.8)] and during activity and remission versus healthy controls [median (IQR): 1.0 (0.5-1.4)]. αβ DN T-cell percentages correlated positively with SLEDAI-2K score (p < .001). The mean αβ DN T-cell percentages varied significantly with different degrees of activity per SLEDAI-2K score (p = .002) and with the presence of neurological (p = .028) and hematological (p = .032) manifestations.

αβ DNT cells percentages are elevated in patients with JSLE and their percentages correlate with disease activity. Further studies are needed in conjunction with the proinflammatory cytokine profile, apoptotic assays and histological findings.