%0 Journal Article
%T KLRB1 defines an activated phenotype of CD4+ T cells and shows significant upregulation in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.
%A Zhang Z
%A Bahabayi A
%A Liu D
%A Hasimu A
%A Zhang Y
%A Guo S
%A Liu R
%A Zhang K
%A Li Q
%A Xiong Z
%A Wang P
%A Liu C
%J Int Immunopharmacol
%V 133
%N 0
%D 2024 May 30
%M 38636371
%F 5.714
%R 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112072
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>This study aimed to investigate the role of KLRB1 (CD161) in human CD4+ T cells and elucidate its significance in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Peripheral blood samples from 37 healthy controls and 44 pSS patients were collected. The publicly available single-cell RNA-Seq data from pSS patient PBMCs were utilized to analyse KLRB1 expression in T cells. KLRB1-expressing T lymphocyte subset proportions in pSS patients and healthy controls were determined by flow cytometry. CD25, Ki-67, cytokine secretion, and chemokine receptor expression in CD4+ KLRB1+ T cells were detected and compared with those in CD4+ KLRB1- T cells. Correlation analysis was conducted between KLRB1-related T-cell subsets and clinical indicators. ROC curves were generated to explore the diagnostic potential of KLRB1 for pSS.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>KLRB1 was significantly upregulated following T-cell activation, and Ki-67 and CD25 expression was significantly greater in CD4+ KLRB1+ T cells than in CD4+ KLRB1- T cells. KLRB1+ CD4+ T cells exhibited greater IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22, and IFN-γ secretion upon stimulation, and there were significantly greater proportions of CCR5+, CCR2+, CX3CR1+, CCR6+, and CXCR3+ cells among CD4+ KLRB1+ T cells than among CD4+ KLRB1- T cells. Compared with that in HCs, KLRB1 expression in CD4+ T cells was markedly elevated in pSS patients and significantly correlated with clinical disease indicators.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>KLRB1 is a characteristic molecule of the CD4+ T-cell activation phenotype. The increased expression of KLRB1 in the CD4+ T cells of pSS patients suggests its potential involvement in the pathogenesis of pSS and its utility as an auxiliary diagnostic marker for pSS.