Peripheral blood lymphocytes analysis detects CD100/SEMA4D alteration in systemic sclerosis patients

Abstract

It was suggested that the immune system plays an important role at least in the amplification of the main elements in systemic sclerosis (SSc), an autoimmune disease with an incompletely elucidated pathogenesis. Elucidation of the mechanisms involved in the interaction between T and B cells, major players of the immune system, could contribute to a better understanding of some of clinical and pathological manifestations of SSc. Recently, abnormalities in Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D/CD100) or CD72, two contrareceptors involved in T and B cells cooperation, were associated with autoimmunity. Therefore, we investigated CD100 and CD72 expression level on T and B cells in attempting to establish their role in SSc pathogenesis. The results revealed augmented percentages of CD100^high T and B cells, significantly increased expression of CD100 on CD4⁺ T cells and frequently detectable levels of soluble CD100 in SSc patient sera compared to healthy donors. In SSc, CD100 dysregulations were associated with anti-Scl70 antibodies production, disease type, thickening of skin, disease duration, or with active inflammation processes. In consequence, dysregulations in CD100 expression and release could play a role in SSc development and/or maintenance.

Keywords::

• Systemic sclerosis
• CD100
• CD72
• T cells
• B cells

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Prof. Czirják László (Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Pécs, Hungary) for helpful discussions and critical review of the manuscript. We also thank Ms D. Florescu and Ms D. Proteasa for technical assistance and to all the patients for their agreement and cooperation in this study.

Declaration of interest: The National Authority for Scientific Research supported this work (Grant Number NP II 41-021/2007). The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.