Suppressor-Cell Dysfunction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: CELLS INVOLVED AND IN VITRO CORRECTION

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To characterize the cell(s) responsible for the suppressor-cell dysfunction in active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we fractionated blood mononuclear cells into thymus-derived (T), bone marrow-derived (B), and monocyte-depleted populations. Various cell populations from active SLE, inactive SLE, or normals, were activated with Concanavalin A, washed, and then co-cultured with active SLE cells. Soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS) from culture supernates of the activated cells was also used for the possible correction of the suppressor-cell dysfunction. Suppression was tested by enumerating DNA-binding cells by radioautography and by quantitating anti-DNA antibody in culture supernates by radioimmunoassay; and immunoglobulin was tested in cells and supernates by the immunofluorescence and the immunofluor techniques, respectively. Except for the numbers of DNA-binding cells, which were not suppressed, all the other three parameters in co-cultures with cells from active SLE patients were suppressed by Concanavalin A-activated cells (P < 0.001), or by SIRS (P < 0.05) from normals or inactive SLE patients. Concanavalin A-activated autologous or allogeneic active SLE cells and nonactivated cells from active or inactive SLE failed to suppress the various B-cell functions. Nonactivated normal cells suppressed levels of anti-DNA and immunoglobulin in supernates (P < 0.05).

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