Higher CD4+CD40+ T cells (Th40 cells) associate with systemic lupus erythematosus activity

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of CD4 + CD40 + T cells (Th40 cells) in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Flow cytometry was used to identify the percentage of Th40 cells in peripheral blood from 24 SLE patients and 24 healthy individuals and the level of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-r, and TNF-α in serum (22 cases) from the SLE patients. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2000) was used to assess the SLE disease active state. The percentage of Th40 cells in T cells from SLE patients (19.37 ± 17.43) (%) was significantly higher than that from healthy individuals (4.52 ± 3.16) (%) ( P 0.05). A significantly higher percentage of Th40 cells was found in SLE patients, and the Th40 cell percentage was associated with SLE activity. Thus, Th40 cells may be used as a predictor for SLE disease activity and severity and therapeutic efficacy.