Lymphocyte subsets in a large cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
In search of markers of disease activity in patients with SLE we have investigated blood lymphocyte subsets from a large cohort of patient. Seventy-one patients were studied using a well-defined panel of fluorescent monoclonal antibodies which recognize the major T, B and NK lymphocyte subsets and activated cells. Flow cytometry was used with standard automated software. Overall, SLE patients were lymphopenic. The proportion of activated T cells was increased and NK cells were decreased in both proportion and absolute numbers (P < 0.001). This decrease was more pronounced in the more active patients. None of the T cell activation markers was shown to distinguish different degrees of disease activity. However, the percentage of NK cells was significantly reduced in active disease states (P < 0.01). Decreased numbers of NK cells could potentially reduce the resistance of SLE patients to infectious organisms.
Erkeller-Yüsel
F
F
Department of Immunology & Rheumatology Research, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London, UK.
Hulstaart
F
F
Hannet
I
I
Isenberg
D
D
Lydyard
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000473:pathology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal