Systemic lupus erythematosus: delineation of subpopulations by clinical, serologic, and T cell subset analysis.
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n = 194) were analyzed for correlation of clinical features. In addition, the proportions of the two major T cell subsets were determined in 87 subjects. Two patient subgroups were discerned: one in which severe renal disease, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia predominated, and a second in which sicca syndrome and involvement of the central nervous system, lungs and muscle occurred. The ratio of T helper/inducer to T suppressor/cytotoxic cells was reduced in the first group and increased in the second. We conclude that SLE does not comprise a single disease entity, but rather represents a number of syndromes with overlapping clinical features. The correlation of clinical symptoms with the proportions of circulating T cell subsets suggests that several immunologic mechanisms may underlie the various types of SLE.
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000209:etiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004247:DNA