title: In vitro effects of thymosin on T-cell subsets in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: The possible immunomodulatory influence of thymosin on lymphocytes from patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been evaluated. Such patients have decreased numbers of T-suppressor (T gamma) cells and normal numbers of T-helper (T mu) cells, resulting in an abnormally low T gamma/T mu ratio. In vitro incubation of lymphocytes from active SLE patients with thymosin resulted in a normalization of the T gamma/T mu ratio. This occurred because of a decrease in T mu cells rather than an increase in T gamma cells. The normalization of T gamma/T mu ratios in vitro in the presence of thymosin is compatible with possible in vivo immunomodulatory effects of these peptides.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D013947:Thymosin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013947:Thymosin