title: T- and B-cell abnormalities in systemic lupus.
abstract: A wealth of T- and B-cell abnormalities has been described in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In general, T and B cells manifest evidence of intense in vivo activation, yet perform poorly when tested for in vitro responsiveness to exogenous antigen. The immune system behaves as if its commitment to self-responsiveness overrides the normal capacity to respond to immunogenic challenges. Many immunoregulatory abnormalities have been characterized, but their relation to disease remains controversial. Although a widely accepted unifying hypothesis for the vigorous autoantibody production and associated immune deficiency of SLE is lacking, it seems certain that the profound abnormalities of T and B cells in SLE are intertwined with the fundamental cause of this illness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7280.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D015551:Autoimmunity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*