Lymphocytotoxic antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

Lymphocytotoxic activity could be demonstrated in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The number of positive reactions varied with temperature of incubation. Lymphocytotoxicity was present in 88%, 49% and 11% of sera tested at 15°C, 22°C and 37°C respectively. At an incubation temperature of 22°C, the presence of the lymphocytotoxic antibody in the sera could be correlated with significantly higher titres of anti-nuclear factor, anti-single-stranded DNA and the histological appearance of active diffuse glomerulonephritis in renal biopsies.