Soluble CD4 and CD8 in serum from patients with localized scleroderma

Abstract

Localized scleroderma has been shown to be accompanied by various immunologic abnormalities. To obtain functional information on activated CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, we studied the levels of soluble CD4 (sCD4) and soluble CD8 (sCD8) in serum from patients with localized scleroderma. Serum samples were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The samples were obtained from 49 patients in the following three subgroups: 15 patients with generalized morphea, 22 with linear scleroderma, and 12 with morphea. The levels of sCD4 and sCD8 were significantly elevated in patients with generalized morphea. Furthermore, these patients showed significantly higher levels of sCD4 than those with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The frequency of positivity for IgG anti-single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) antibody was significantly higher in localized scleroderma patients with elevated sCD4 levels than in patients with normal sCD4 levels. The frequency of positivity for antinuclear antibodies, IgM antihistone antibodies, IgG anti-ssDNA antibody and rheumatoid factor, and elevated sCD23 levels were significantly higher in localized scleroderma patients with elevated sCD8 levels than in patients with normal sCD8 levels. Our findings suggest that both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are activated in vivo in generalized morphea and that the immunologic events in generalized morphea are different from those in SSc.

Localized scleroderma

“…Serum antinuclear antibodies, most of them with a homogenous pattern, have been detected in 20% to 80% of LS patients . Moreover, active childhood LS might be associated with antihistone antibodies, hypergammaglobulinemia, and eosinophilia . In patients with linear LS of the extremities with concomitant joint involvement, increased levels of rheumatoid factor may be present, and do sometimes correlate with the clinical degree of arthritis activity .…”

Photochemotherapy for localized morphoea: effect on clinical and molecular markers

“…no reported studies on VEGF in morphoea, although an overall increase in levels in systemic sclerosis has been reported. 22 Sato et al 23 reviewed 49 patients with morphoea and found that serum CD4+ and CD8+ cells were significantly increased in these patients. Although our patient sample was small, our study showed a reduction in tissue levels of CD3+ and CD4+ cells following PUVA, which occurred in parallel with clinical improvement.…”

Pulsed High-Dose Corticosteroids Combined With Low-Dose Methotrexate in Severe Localized Scleroderma

“…Various immunologic phenoma and abnormalities such as antinuclear antibodies, antihistone and anti-single-stranded DNA antibodies, eosinophilia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and rheumatoid factor have been detected in up to 80% of patients with severe generalized or linear LS, and a correlation with the clinical activity of disease has been hypothesized. 23 Elevated levels of IgG and IgM have been reported in up to 50% of patients with severe LS. In this context, Falanga et al 24 25 Because no significant change in PIIINP was observed with therapy in 2 recent trials, we refrained from determination of PIIINP in our patients.…”