Background/Purpose: Deltex1 is a transcription target of nuclear factor of activated T cells in mice and promotes T cell anergy. We have previously reported that silencing of Deltex1 expression enhanced IFN-γ secretion by human T cells after stimulation with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of Deltex1 in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS).

Methods: Peripheral T cells were collected from SjS patients and healthy controls for analysis of Deltex1 gene expression by RT-QPCR. The expression of T regulatory cells (Tregs)-associated molecules, including PD-1, CTLA-4, LAG-3, TIGIT, TIM-3, and cytokines were measured by flow cytometry.

Results: We found that Deltex1 expression in T cells was significantly lower in the primary Sjogren’s syndrome patients than inhealthy controls (p < 0.001). Interestingly, Deltex1 expression in T cells was negatively correlated with the visual analogue scale (VAS) for dryness, VAS for fatigue, European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) SjS outcome measures, the patient reported index (ESSPRI), and the disease activity index (ESSDAI) (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, p = 0.017, and p = 0.003, respectively), but not with VAS for pain (p = 0.495). Importantly, we found that Treg-associated molecules expression, including PD-1, CTLA-4, and TIM-3, andanti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 on CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ Tregs was significantly higher in low Deltex1 expression group than high Deltex1 expression group (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion: These results suggested that Deltex1 may involve the function of Tregs and regulate the disease activity of SjS.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/deltex1-may-involve-the-function-of-t-regulatory-cells-and-regulate-the-disease-activity-of-sjogrens-syndrome/