Relationship between T lymphocyte subsets and cortisol in systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex chronic immunological disease characterized by increased B cell activity and altered T cell function. Objective: To investigate relationship between T lymphocyte subsets and cortisol with the disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus patients in North India. Materials and methods: The percentage of CD4 ⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in the lymphocyte of SLE patients and healthy controls were determined by fl ow cytometry. Serum cortisol of SLE patients and healthy controls was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: A significant decrease in the percentage of CD4 ⁺ T cells and increase in the percentage of CD8⁺ T cells were found in patients with SLE compared to the healthy controls. Decrease in the ratio of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cell and low level of serum cortisol were found in the patients with SLE. The ratio of CD4 ⁺/CD8⁺ T cell was inversely correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). A positive correlation was observed between CD8 ⁺ T cells and SLEDAI score. Furthermore, CD8⁺ T cells were positively correlated with ESR in the patients with SLE. Conclusion: The results showed that low level of cortisol and high percentage of CD8⁺ T cells in the lymphocytes could be actively involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.