Interferon therapy effects on activation of T-lymphocytes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Aim. To elucidate the effects of combined therapy with glucocorticosteroids (GCS) and recombinant human interferon alpha or gamma (IFN) an proliferative responses of T-lymphocytes activated by various surface molecules (CD3 and CD2) in patients with SLE. Materials and methods. A 3-month trial entered 3 groups 15 patients each with verified SLE by APA criteria (1982). Patients of group 1, 2 and 3 received IFN-alpha (realdiron, Biofa, Lithuania) in a single dose 3 million IU i.m;, IFN-gamma (inflagen, Biofa, Lithuania) in a single dose 3 million IU. i.m. and cyclophosphamide in a close 200 mg i.m. once a week, respectively. T-lymphocyte proliferative response was assessed to stimuli of two types: CD3-dependent (classic activation) and CD2-dependent (alternative activation). The analysis was made by inclusion of 3H-thymidine after 72-hour incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with various stimuli. The response was assessed before the treatment, on the treatment day 20 and after the treatment The blood from 27 donors was also examined. Flow cytometry estimated the percentage of the cells expressing molecules CD3, CD4, CD8. Results: The effect is found of alpha and gamma INF on functional capacity of T-lymphocytes and on the number of cells expressing surface molecules CD3 and CD4. Realdiron produced two-phase reaction to a proliferative response to mitogenic stimuli by CD3-dependent activation pathway: the initial rise then lowering CD2-dependent way of T-cell activation is associated with weakening of responses to all combinations of stimuli with participation of autologous red cells. This group of patients to the end of the therapy exhibited a significant decrease in the number of cells expressing CD3 and CD4 (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). Inflagen enhanced CD3-dependent activation of T cells and normalized the response to all types of the alternative stimuli. This group demonstrated an increase in the number of cells expressing CD3 and CD4 (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). The changes in the number of CD8+ cells in both the groups were statistically insignificant. The controls had T-cell responses reduced by both activation pathways. Conclusion. Preparations of both alpha and gamma interferon have a multidirectional influence on functional potential and phenotype of T-lymphocytes of SLE patients.