T-cell senescence was correlated with early atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

To investigate the correlation between T-cell senescence with the atherosclerosis markers in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The study participants were 40 female SLE patients aged 18-45 years who met the 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria and 40 healthy individuals. The atherosclerosis markers were investigated using the Doppler ultrasonography examinations to measure the cIMT (carotid intima-media thickness) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and serological markers using soluble ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Flow cytometry of CD4⁺CD57⁺, CD8⁺CD57⁺, CD4⁺CD28^null, and CD8⁺CD28^null T cells were used to assess the immunosenescence markers.

The cIMT (p < .001), sICAM-1 (p < .001), and sVCAM-1 (p < .001) were significantly higher in SLE patients compared with control, while FMD was significantly lower in SLE patients (p < .001). The percentages of all T-cell senescence markers are also significantly higher in SLE patients than in healthy individuals. Positive correlations were shown between cIMT with the CD4⁺CD57⁺ (R = .301, p = .005), CD4⁺CD28^null (R = .448, p < .001), and CD8⁺CD28^null (R = .422, p < .001). Conversely, negative correlations were demonstrated between the FMD with CD4⁺CD57⁺ (R = -.236, p = .023), CD8⁺CD57⁺ (R = -.409, p < .001), CD4⁺CD28^null (R = -.422, p < .001), and CD8⁺CD28^null (R = -.318, p = .003). The soluble markers of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were also positively correlated with the T-cell senescence markers.

Early sign of atherosclerosis was demonstrated in patients with SLE in this study. T-cell senescence markers had significant correlations with the atherosclerosis markers, including the cIMT, FMD, and soluble adhesion molecules levels. Understanding the link between immunosenescence and atherosclerosis might help to identify a new method for early detection and treatment of atherosclerosis in SLE.