Changes in b lymphocyte function in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus nephritis after total lymphoid irradiation

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Abstract
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and patients with lupus nephritis underwent total lymphoid irradiation (TLI). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these patients showed a decrease in pokeweed mitogen—induced immunoglobulin secretion after TLI. A defect in non‐T cells contributed to the decreased response. No defect in the response of non‐T cells to T cell—independent activators of B cells, Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 and Epstein‐Barr virus, was observed after TLI. We conclude that TLI induces a selective deficit in B cells, which respond to T cell—dependent mitogen stimulation.