Studies of Anti‐Lymphocyte Antibody in Patients with Active SLE

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Abstract
The effect of anti-lymphocyte antibodies of active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on the immune regulation of autoantibody production was studied. There were native DNA (nDNA)-sensitized T [thymus-derived] lymphocytes even in inactive SLE and no or few nDNA-sensitized T lymphocytes in normal individuals. In the inactive stages of SLE, suppressor T lymphocytes might inhibit the activation of nDNA-sensitized T lymphocytes eliciting the production of anti-DNA antibodies by B [bone marrow-derived] lymphocytes. In the active stage of SLE, the anti-lymphocyte antibodies could eliminate the suppressor function of T lymphocytes or a subset of cells capable of regulating their appearance or differentiating into them, which inhibited such responses. The different suppression of DNA and extractable nuclear antigen (ENA)-stimulated blastogenic response is further discussed.