Conclusion and perspective
This article reviews the roles and mechanisms of immunocytes that
participate in the progression of lupus. The expression of CD138 in
autoreactive T cells in lupus plays a key role in its progression,
resulting in the accumulation of autoreactive T cells in the spleens of
lupus mice by preventing the apoptosis of CD3+ T cells. Th1 cells and
IFN-γ may participate in building inflammatory conditions in SLE. The
defective expansions of IL-10+ Breg cells and MDSCs contribute to
increasing the formation of abnormal plasma cells and to the production
of autoantibody. We propose that inhibiting the expression of CD138 in
autoreactive T cells may be key to preventing the accumulation of
autoreactive T cells in SLE. Thus, additional studies are warranted that
target the underlying molecular mechanism of the CD138 signaling pathway
in CD138+ T cells in SLE. Studies should also aim to prevent the
expression of CD138 in CD3+ T cells, which may be the most promising and
effective therapy for SLE.