T helper cells subsets were studied in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 18 patients with
active SLE and 7 normal controls were subjected to basic investigations for SLE. Assay for Thl
and Th2 was done by flow cytometry, significant reduction in C04 cells (P<0.01) compared to
normal subjects with negative correlation to the disease activity index (A.I) and E.S.R (P<0.01)
and no correlation with the complement C3 and C4 values. A consistent pattern of increased
Th2 cells was coupled with decrease Thl in SLE patients. Th2 significantly increased in lupus
patients (P<0.01) compared to controls with no correlation to AI, ESR or complement values
(P>0.0S). T hl showed a significant decrease ( P<0.01) in I upus patients compared to normal
controls with negative correlation to Al, ESR values (P<0.01) with no correlation to
complement values. Th0 was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in SLE and did not show any
correlation to either Ad, ESR or complement values. Thl/Th2 ratio showed highly significant
decrease in lupus patients compared to controls (P<0.01). In SLE with nephritis C04, Thl cells
and Thl/Th2 ratio were significantly reduced while Th2 and Th0 cells did not show any
significant difference (P>0.01). Patient with corticosteroid therapy did not show any difference
from those without such treatment. Thl/Th2 cell immunointervention may lead to effective
management and prognosis in SLE. |
