The role of imbalanced CD226/TIGIT on activated peripheral double-negative T cells in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether the balance of CD226 and TIGIT is disturbed in CD3+CD56-TCRαβ+CD4-CD8- (DN) T cells and have a better understanding of the potential role of DN T cells in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

METHODS: The percentage of DN T cells as well as the expression of CD226 and TIGIT was identified by flowmetry. After in vitro stimulation, we further detected the expression of activation and cytotoxic marker, as well as intracellular cytokines secreted by DN T cells.

RESULTS: DN T cells were found to expand in the peripheral blood of pSS patients (1.77±0.66%) and correlate with IgG (r=0.451, p<0.05), C3 (r=-0.438, p<0.05) and C4 (r=-0.470, p<0.05). Imbalanced CD226/TIGIT was observed on peripheral DN T cells of pSS patients, especially the overexpression of inhibitory immunoreceptor TIGIT. The expression ratio of TIGIT and CD226 on DN T cells was elevated in pSS patients and correlated with ESSDAI scores≥5 (r=0.743, p<0.05). Besides, these DN T cells were found to be activated and show strong cytotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS: The balance between CD226 and TIGIT on DN T cells was disturbed and correlated with the disease activity in pSS patients, which may be implicated in the pathogenesis of pSS.