SIT1 identifies circulating hypoactive T cells with elevated cytotoxic molecule secretion in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

This study aims to elucidate the expression and functionality of SIT1 in circulating CD8/CD4 + T cells in humans and to delineate its significance in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. We employed multiparametric flow cytometry to investigate the expression of SIT1 in circulating CD8/CD4 + T cells and their respective subsets, comparing healthy controls (HCs) with SLE patients. Furthermore, we assessed the levels of granzyme B, perforin, IL-17, and IFN-γ in SIT1-related CD8/CD4 + T cells from both HCs and SLE patients, both before and after PMA stimulation. Clinically, we conducted receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and correlation analysis to evaluate the clinical relevance of SIT1-related CD8/CD4 + T cells in SLE patients. SIT1 exhibited higher expression in CD4 + T cells, with SIT1 − T cells demonstrating elevated levels of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN-γ compared to SIT1 + T cells. PMA-stimulated T cells exhibited reduced SIT1 expression compared to unstimulated T cells. SLE patients displayed increased SIT1 + proportions in CD8 + T cells and decreased SIT1 + CD4 + T cell numbers. Additionally, SIT1 + cells in SLE patients exhibited significantly higher levels of granzyme B and perforin compared to HCs. SIT1 + cells demonstrated significant associations with clinical indicators in SLE patients, with indicators related to SIT1 proving valuable in the diagnosis of SLE patients. SIT1 is inversely correlated with T cell activation. In SLE patients, SIT1 expression is altered in T cells concomitant with an augmented secretion of cytotoxic molecules. This upregulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE and enhance its diagnostic potential.

Graphical abstract