Cell‐mediated immune response in systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Abstract
Cell‐mediated immunity in 29 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus was assayed by macrophage inhibitory test (MI‐test) using native DNA as an antigen. The mean percentage migration in SLE and normal control was 77.8 and 98.1%. The percentage migration below 84.3% was considered to be a positive MI‐test. Patients with SLE possessed cellular hypersensitivity to native DNA; positive MI‐tests seemed to be present more often when the disease was clinically active. Percentage migration did not correlate with the presence of ANA and anti‐DNA antibody. It is of note that lymphocytes from patients with negative ANA produced migration inhibitory factor in response to native DNA. The higher incidence of positive MI‐tests in patients with nephrotic syndrome is impressive. The role of the presence of DNA‐sensitized lymphocytes to the perpetuation of renal lesion in nephrotic syndrome is discussed.