ALLOGENEIC SUPPRESSION OF POLYCLONAL IMMUNOGLOBULIN PRODUCTION IN NORMALS AND PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (1) , 27-32
Abstract
T lymphocytes suppressing in vitro polyclonal Ig production can be activated by allogeneic stimuli or concanavalin (Con) A. These cells are deficient in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To investigate the cellular requirements for this effect, IgM and IgG biosynthesis by the following was studied: normal and SLE [human] lymphocytes cultured with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and mitomycin C-blocked allogeneic normal or SLE lymphocytes; and by normal and irradiated lymphocytes cultured with PWM and with Con A-pretreated normal and irradiated allogeneic and autochthonous blocked lymphocytes. Blocked allogeneic normal cells or blocked Con A-pretreated, normal or irradiated autochthonous or allogeneic cells served as potent stimuli for suppression of Ig biosynthesis by normal responder cells, but not by SLE responder cells. Con A probably stimulates a radioresistant suppressor inducer cell which in turn activates a radiosensitive, proliferation-dependent suppressor effector cell; the latter can also be activated by allogeneic stimulation and is deficient in SLE.