An increase in IL-10-producing DNT cells is associated with the pathogenesis of pediatric SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes immune system overactivity and organ damage. Among T-cell subsets involved in SLE, CD4 and CD8 double-negative αβT (DNT) cells have attracted attention in recent years, although their role in SLE remains poorly understood. Examining the minute intricacies, particularly signaling pathway modifications is crucial, as it may unveil potential therapeutic targets and lead to the development of more effective treatments. Our study found increased DNT cells in pediatric SLE patients, with elevated IL-10 signaling. These IL-10-producing DNT cells were positively related to disease activity defined by SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and were further elevated in patients with lupus nephritis. Additionally, our results indicated that IL-10-producing DNT cells correlated positively with anti-Sm autoantibodies. Collectively, our study revealed that modulation of IL-10 production within DNT-cell subset could affect both immune regulation and autoantibody production, contributing to the immunological dysregulation in SLE.