Correlation between the phenotype and the functional capacity of activated T cells in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus.
Activated T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were determined using monoclonal antibodies against activation antigens. Elevated percentages of HLA-DR+ T cells were found in association with active disease. In contrast, we observed an increase in IL-2 receptor-bearing T cells in only six out of 16 patients with active disease. In vitro assays, like spontaneous proliferation, response to IL-2, production of IL-2, and immunoglobulin synthesis have shown that the different patterns of activation antigens are related to different functional stages of T-cell activation. The possible therapeutic consequences are discussed.
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010641:Phenotype; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7