The cellular basis of the impaired autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

The autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction is impaired in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. This is because nonthymus-derived (T)-lymphocyte preparations from such patients do not stimulate autologous T-lymphocyte proliferation normally. This defect may explain the impaired generation of suppressor activity in systemic lupus erythematosus and thereby the occurrence of autoantibodies in this disease.