CXCR 3 expression on CD4+T cells and in renal tissue of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Background: Pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE) accounts forabout 20% of all cases of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), withnephritis occurring in approximately 50% of the patients. Objective: toevaluate the expression of CXCR3 in the kidneys and on CD4+ T cells inpSLE. Methods: This study was conducted on 45 patients with pSLEfollowing up at the Allergy and Immunology Clinic, Children’s Hospital, AinShams University and 45 age and sex matched healthy children as a controlgroup. Medical history, clinical examination and routine laboratoryinvestigations for assessment of disease activity were done for all patients,the frequency of CXCR3, CD4+ T cells was determined in all patients andcontrols. Twenty-five Paraffin blocks of patients with lupus nephritis (LN)(available at the time of the study) underwent immunohistochemistrystaining for the frequencies of Chemokine C receptor (CXCR3). Results:The absolute level and percentage of serum CD4+CXCR3+ weresignificantly lower among our patients as compared to healthy controls. Asignificant direct correlation was found between serum CD4+CXCR3+ andboth the lymphocytic count and quantitative Systemic Lupus erythematosusdisease activity index (SLEDAI), as well as a significant inverse correlationbetween it and 24 hours urinary proteins. Variable degrees of CXCR3expression seemed to have no impact on laboratory tests, British Isles LupusAssessment Group (BILAG) score and cumulative doses ofImmunosuppressives. Conclusion: Serum CD4+CXCR3+ and not renalCXCR3 may be a potential marker of LN activity.