Expression of CD57 on CD8+ T lymphocytes of patients with Wegener`s granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis: evidence for continuous activation of CD8+ cells

CER3586
2009 Vol.27, N°1 ,Suppl.52
PI 0019, PF 0024
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PMID: 19646341 [PubMed]

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To gain insight into the immune pathogenesis of Wegener`s granulomatosis (WG) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), the prevalence of circulating CD8⁺ T lymphocytes expressing CD57 as a marker for previous activation was analyzed.
METHODS:
Receptor expression of CD57 was measured in CD8⁺ T cells of patients with active disease (n=5) by cytofluorometry and compared with expression in patients in remission (n=80) and in age-matched healthy donors (n=34). The results were compared to clinical parameters including severity and duration of the disease.
RESULTS:
CD8⁺CD57⁺ were detected in patients with WG and MPA and in healthy donors as well and increased considerably with age. Compared to age-matched healthy donors, the prevalence of CD8⁺CD57⁺ was increased in the younger patients (up to 40 y). In most patients a high percentage of CD8⁺CD57⁺ coincided with severe disease and multiple organ involvement, while low CD8⁺CD57⁺ percentage was seen in patients with limited disease or in patients in complete remission. In patients with smoldering disease, the percentage of CD8⁺CD57⁺ increased with time. High numbers of CD8+CD57+ correlated with low CD4:CD8 ratio.
CONCLUSIONS:
In patients with WG and MPA a population of CD8⁺/ CD57⁺ expand, identifying terminally differentiated CD8⁺ cells. The prevalence of CD57⁺ cells was related to the course of disease. So far, the function of CD57 on CD8⁺ cells is not understood. However, these cells might produce certain cytokines, which play a role in the pathogenesis of AAV. The data support the hypothesis that CD8⁺ T cells are activated in the context of primary vasculitides.