T‐cell senescence was correlated with early atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

AimTo investigate the correlation between T‐cell senescence with the atherosclerosis markers in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsThe study participants were 40 female SLE patients aged 18–45 years who met the 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria and 40 healthy individuals. The atherosclerosis markers were investigated using the Doppler ultrasonography examinations to measure the cIMT (carotid intima‐media thickness) and flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) and serological markers using soluble ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1. Flow cytometry of CD4+CD57+, CD8+CD57+, CD4+CD28null, and CD8+CD28null T cells were used to assess the immunosenescence markers.ResultsThe cIMT (p < .001), sICAM‐1 (p < .001), and sVCAM‐1 (p < .001) were significantly higher in SLE patients compared with control, while FMD was significantly lower in SLE patients (p < .001). The percentages of all T‐cell senescence markers are also significantly higher in SLE patients than in healthy individuals. Positive correlations were shown between cIMT with the CD4+CD57+ (R = .301, p = .005), CD4+CD28null (R = .448, p < .001), and CD8+CD28null (R = .422, p < .001). Conversely, negative correlations were demonstrated between the FMD with CD4+CD57+ (R = −.236, p = .023), CD8+CD57+ (R = −.409, p < .001), CD4+CD28null (R = −.422, p < .001), and CD8+CD28null (R = −.318, p = .003). The soluble markers of sICAM‐1 and sVCAM‐1 were also positively correlated with the T‐cell senescence markers.ConclusionEarly sign of atherosclerosis was demonstrated in patients with SLE in this study. T‐cell senescence markers had significant correlations with the atherosclerosis markers, including the cIMT, FMD, and soluble adhesion molecules levels. Understanding the link between immunosenescence and atherosclerosis might help to identify a new method for early detection and treatment of atherosclerosis in SLE.