Impaired CD4+CD69+ cells activation associated with elevated IL-6 and IL-10 in Togolese SLE patients

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease involving complex pathogenesis which remains poorly investigated in developing countries. Indeed, mononuclear blood cells and cytokines play key role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the monocluear blood cells and their cytokines profile in togolese SLE patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on five SLE patients and seven healthy donors. Mononuclear blood cells were characterized by flow cytometry. Cytokines from plasma: IL-6, TNFα, IFN, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-17A were assayed by sandwich ELISA. Results: CD4+cells count was decreased with an impaired activation showed by low expression of activation marker CD69 in SLE patients compared to healthy donors. SLE patients were also characterized by high production of plasma IL-6 and IL-10. Conclusion: Togolese SLE patients are characterized by impaired CD4+CD69+ cells activation, associated with high plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10.