Flow cytometric analysis of CD4+ T cell receptor zeta chain deficiency in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

PURPOSE It has been reported that a dysfunction of T lymphocytes can be responsible for alteration in immune system in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). MATERIAL AND METHODS Using flow cytometric analysis, we determined the abnormalities of T cell receptor zeta (TCR zeta) chain contents in CD4+ T cells of SLE patients. RESULTS We observed a decrease in mean fluorescence intensity of TCR zeta in CD4+ T cells of patients with SLE. The multiple analysis did not show a correlation between gender, age, disease specific manifestation, treatment, duration and TCR zeta mean fluorescence intensity in CD4+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS High prevalence of TCR zeta chain deficiency in CD4+ T cells confirms the significance of this signaling molecule in SLE pathogenesis.