INVITRO EFFECT OF THYMIC HUMORAL FACTOR AND LEVAMISOLE ON PERIPHERAL-BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS PATIENTS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31  (1) , 111-115
Abstract
The in vitro effect of thymic humoral factor (THF) and levamisole on E [erythrocyte] rosette-forming cells in the peripheral blood of 17 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was studied. Patients with active disease showed a low number of E rosette-forming cells. A significant rise in the number of E rosettes was obtained after incubation with THF and levamisole. No such effect was observed on lymphocytes from patients, with inactive disease and normal controls. In 7 patients, 3 with active disease and 4 with well-controlled disease , short-term cultures were performed. The effect of THF on E rosettes was the same before and after the short-term cultures. Possible mechanisms, by which THF and levamisole may increase the number of E rosettes in vitro, are discussed.