Activated T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus induce B cells to produce immunoglobulin.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by multiple T and B cell abnormalities. This study was designed to investigate the cell surface membrane characteristics of T cells by using single and double immunofluorescence and examine the role of HLA-DR+ T cells in the production of immunoglobulin by B cells. The results presented: (a) confirm the presence of a larger population of T-cells bearing DR antigens in patients with SLE than in normal controls, (b) demonstrate that DR positive cells are equally distributed in helper/inducer and suppressor/cytotoxic subsets of lymphocytes from patients with SLE, (c) show no elevation in the percentage of T cells bearing interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptors, (d) demonstrate that DR positive, but not DR negative T-cells, multiply in the presence of conditioned media and, (e) demonstrate that DR positive T cells provide helper factors which enhance the production of immunoglobulin by B cells. We propose that T-cells bearing DR antigens in patients with SLE are functional in vivo, and may be responsible for the B cell overactivity.
Inghirami
G
G
Kidney Diseases Section, National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Simon
J
J
Balow
J E
JE
Tsokos
G C
GC
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2