AB0053 The effects of extracorporeal photochemotherapy on T cell activation and regulatory mechanisms in patients with systemic sclerosis. (23rd January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zeher, M.; Papp, G.; Baráth, S.; Szegedi, A.; Szodoray, P.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 71(2012)Supplement 3
• Page Start: 640
• Page End: 640
• Publication Date: 2014-01-23
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-eular.53
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Background: In systemic sclerosis (SSc), therapeutic options are limited mainly to the management of complications, halting fibrosis, therefore preventing disease progression is a great challenge. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) in SSc. Objectives: In the study, we investigated the influence ofECP on lymphocyte activation and cell death by determining CD95, Annexin V, CD69 and HLA-DR expression on circulating T and B cells in SSc patients, and assessing their changing after ECP therapies. Moreover, we evaluated the relationship between lymphocyte activation and changes in certain immune parameters following ECP treatments. Methods: We enrolled 16 SSc patients, who received 12 ECP treatments in total. Blood samples were taken prior to the first therapy and 6 weeks after each cycle. Samples were also obtained from 16 healthy controls. Lymphocyte subgroups were quantified by flow cytometry. Results: Initially, patients had higher numbers and percentages of peripheral CD95+ T cells, but not CD95+ B cells, compared to control values. After ECP treatments, values of CD95+ T cells decreased and became similar to controls. Annexin V expression on T and B cells did not changed during the therapy. We observed significant negative correlation between the changes in percentages of peripheral CD95+ T cells and CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells. Although neither early-activated (CD69+) nor late-activated (HLA-DR+) T lymphocytes showed any changes after ECP, clear negative correlations developed between them and the functional ability of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells after the last treatment. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the initial increase of CD95+ expression in SSc presumably reflects a physiological response to the pronounced autoimmune processes, which can be effectively attenuated by the restoration of regulative T cell numbers and functions as the result of ECP therapy. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared