T-cell markers in systemic lupus erythromatosus patients

Systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of multiple autoantibodies. Detecting the expression of CD antigens is supposed to be novel diagnosis methods. Therefore, the aim of current study was to investigate the importance of 2 markers (CD69 and CD73) on T-cells in the diagnosis of SLE; using flowcytometric analysis. The study was carried out on 30 healthy subjects (control), 42 patients with active SLE and 26 patients with active SLE + HCV. Blood count markers were significantly reduced while serum creatinine and ANA index significantly elevated in patient groups compared to the control. CD69 and CD73 were quantified using flowcytometric technique. The first was significantly increased in both SLE group and SLE+ HCV group compared to control. A reverse pattern was obtained with CD73 that was decreased in patient groups. Collectively, flowcytometric technique provided an accurate and reproducible tool for determination of 2 new markers CD69 and CD73 on T cells. The first marker CD69 exhibited good ability to predict the presence of SLE and the second one CD73 exhibited excellent ability to predict the absence of SLE in patients with or without HCV.