title: Suppressor cell defect in SLE: relationship to native DNA binding.
abstract: Recent evidence suggests the presence of a suppressor T cell defect in systemic lupus erythematosus. We confirm the presence of such a defect and find a strong quantitative correlation between the loss of suppressor T cell function and the activity of SLE as measured by the presence of antibodies to native DNA. In addition, the serum of patients with active SLE contains a soluble factor which when incubated with normal peripheral blood lymphocytes induces a suppressor T cell defect. These data are consistent with the suppressor cell defect being involved in the propagation and possible the pathogenesis of SLE, and suggests a positive feedback mechanism whereby a suppressor cell defect results in autoantibodies including antibody to suppressor cells.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D004247:DNA