T Cell Plasticity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Revealed by Large-Scale T Cell Receptor Repertoire and Transcriptome Studies - Report - MDSpire

Exploring T Cell Adaptability in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Through Comprehensive T Cell Receptor Repertoire and Transcriptomic Analyses

  • By

  • Yasuo Nagafuchi

  • Masahiro Nakano

  • Kaitlyn A. Lagattuta

  • Mineto Ota

  • Hiroaki Hatano

  • Haruka Takahashi

  • Takahiro Itamiya

  • Hajime Inokuchi

  • Soumya Raychaudhuri

  • Tomohisa Okamura

  • Keishi Fujio

  • Kazuyoshi Ishigaki

  • June 2, 2026

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Clinical Report: Exploring T Cell Adaptability in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Overview

This study investigates T cell plasticity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by analyzing T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires and transcriptomic data. Findings indicate distinct TCR and transcriptome profiles in SLE patients compared to healthy controls.

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by diverse clinical manifestations and the production of autoantibodies. CD4+ T cells play a crucial role in SLE pathogenesis, influencing B cell activity and contributing to inflammatory processes.

Data Highlights

No specific numerical data or trial results were provided in the source material.

Key Findings

  • CD4+ T cells in SLE exhibit disrupted abundance and altered functionality.
  • A novel subset of activated Treg-like cells (Fr. III) was identified, which produces more interleukin-17.
  • TCR sequence patterns can track T cell types and their plasticity in SLE.
  • Distinct TCR and transcriptome profiles were observed in SLE patients compared to healthy controls.
  • Plasticity of T cells may contribute to the complexity of SLE pathogenesis.

Clinical Implications

Understanding TCR repertoires may aid in the development of treatments targeting T cell responses.

Conclusion

This study enhances the understanding of T cell adaptability in SLE, providing insights that may guide future research and therapeutic approaches.

Related Resources & Content

  1. ACR Open Rheumatology, 2025 -- Reproducible Molecular Subtypes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Are Associated With Disease Activity, Serology, and Distinct Trajectories Over Time
  2. Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 -- Decoding autoimmune disease with single-cell immune repertoire and transcriptome sequencing: mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities
  3. Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 -- Gene expression profiling of dendritic cell tolerance dysfunction in women with systemic lupus erythematosus
  4. New Lupus SLE Clinical Practice Guideline Released | ACR Convergence 2025 | American College of Rheumatology
  5. Frontiers in Immunology — T cell decision-making decodes the dynamic antigenic landscape
  6. New Lupus SLE Clinical Practice Guideline Released | ACR Convergence 2025 | American College of Rheumatology
  7. Long-term effect of anifrolumab on patient-reported outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (TULIP-LTE): a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 long-term extension trial - PubMed
  8. Antigen-driven T cell responses in rheumatic diseases: insights from T cell receptor repertoire studies | Nature Reviews Rheumatology

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