Cellular immune reactivity to nuclear antigens in systemic lupus erythematosus

The leucocyte migration test (LMT) was used for the study of cellular responsiveness to nuclear factors, i. e. to calf thymus desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), calf thymus desoxyribonucleoprotein (DNP), calf liver ribonucleic acid (RNA), in 20 subjects with SLE and in 20 non-immunopathological cases serving as controls. The nucleic acid preparations were found to produce a positive LMT in the SLE-patients as well as in the controls. The proportion of positive responses reached its highest percentage in the cases of active SLE. Two cases were followed up by repeated LMT in the course of immunosuppressive treatment with cytostatics and/or antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) administration indicated by the activity of the process. The LMT proved suitable for assessing the intensity of immunosuppression by cytostatics or by ALG. A critical evaluation of the procedure is given. It is pointed out that inhibition and stimulation of migration are likewise manifestations of cellular immune responsiveness. Both inhibition and stimulation are more marked if serum-free nutrient is used.