Abstract
Dendritic cells (DC) were isolated from peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and nodrmal donors. Surface antigens of the DC were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence by means of monoclonal antibodies. Surface expression and stimulatory function of the DC in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) were also investigated. DC from both SLE patients and normal donors were positive for HLA-DR antigen and C3bi receptor, but did not express surface immunoglobulin, Fc receptor or CD3.
In the autologous MLR, stimulating DC were markedly decreased in patients with SLE compared with normal donors.
In the allogeneic MLR it was shown that DC from SLE patients were poorer stimulators of allogeneic T cells from normal donors and from other SLE patients; however T cells from SLE patients were not such poor responders to allogeneic DC from normal donors.
These findings suggests a defect in peripheral blood DC in patients with SLE.
