Immunoregulatory aberrations in systemic lupus erythematosus
Fauci, A.S.; Steinberg, A.D.; Haynes, B.F.; Whalen, G.
Journal of Immunology 121(4): 1473-1479
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 359708 Document Number: 131009
The nature of the immunoregulatory defect was studied in 38 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These patients had an absolute thymus-derived A activation to generate suppressor cells of the PWM-induced PFC response, whereas their ability to be suppressed by suppressor stimuli appeared intact. Despite considerable variability from patient to patient, lymphocytes from SLE patients generally had adequate T helper cell function and could be helped by normal allogeneic T helper cells. SLE patients have a quantitative defect in a subpopulation of T cells with suppressor capability. They have a defect in the ability to generate suppressor cell function upon appropriate activation. These findings may aid the understanding of the immunoregulatory defect in SLE.