The relationship between serum immune complex levels and peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations in systemic lugs erythematosis

Abstract

To clarify the point of connection between humoral immunity and cellular immunity in progression of lupus nephritis, serum immune complex were measured by C₁q binding test solid phase assay, and peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations were simultaneously measured by rosette formations. Biopsy renal tissues in these patients also examined by light, immuno fluorescent and electron microscopy. In active stage of SLE, serum immune complex were high in levels, T cell and Tγ cell were supressed and Tμ were relatively elevated. As already known that Tγ had the supresser function and Tμ had the helper function, decreased Tγ and increased Tμ might lead to overproduction of antibody or unusual antibody production. It was also shown that the fluctuation of lymphocyte subpopulations preceded the fluctuation of immune complex. From these results, it would be useful to measure the lymphocyte subpopulations in systemic lupus erythematosis to know the activity and the effect of the therapy.