Circulating cytotoxic CD8(+) CD28(-) T cells in ankylosing spondylitis

Circulating CD8(+) CD28(-) T cells were found to be expanded more in patients with ankylosing spondylitis than in an age-matched healthy population (41.2 ± 17.7% versus 18.6 ± 7.6%). The level of CD8(+)CD28(-) T cells was dependent on the disease status, but was independent of age. Most of the CD8(+) CD28(-) T cells produced perforin after stimulation in vitro, in contrast to their CD8(+)CD28(+) counterparts. From the clinical perspective, the percentage of the cytotoxic CD8(+) CD28(-) T cells reflected a more severe course of disease, as it correlated with distinct movement restrictions, as well as the metrology score summarizing cervical rotation (in sitting position), chin-to-jugulum distance, thoracic Schober, chest expansion, and fingers-to-floor distance (P = 0.032).

研究观察到，强直性脊柱炎（ankylosing spondylitis）患者体内的循环CD8阳性CD28阴性T细胞（circulating CD8(+) CD28(-) T cells）的扩增水平显著高于年龄匹配的健康人群，两组人群该类细胞的占比分别为41.2±17.7%与18.6±7.6%。该类CD8(+)CD28(-)T细胞的占比与疾病状态相关，但不受患者年龄影响。与对应的CD8阳性CD28阳性T细胞（CD8(+)CD28(+) T cells）相比，大部分CD8(+)CD28(-)T细胞在体外经刺激后可产生穿孔素（perforin）。从临床视角而言，细胞毒性CD8(+)CD28(-)T细胞的占比可反映疾病的严重病程：其占比与显著的运动受限呈相关性，同时与汇总了坐位颈椎旋转活动度、颏颈距离、胸椎Schober试验、胸廓扩张度及指地距的测量学评分存在显著关联（P=0.032）