[Activity of short-lived suppressor lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis]

Activity of short-lived suppressor lymphocytes was studied in 26 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Of these, 14 patients had diverse systemic manifestations: rheumatoid nodules, polyneuropathy. Sjögren's syndrome, and Felty's syndrome. It was established that attenuation of the suppressor activity in rheumatoid arthritis is characteristic of patients with systemic manifestations, who show a high level of circulating immune complexes of rheumatoid factors. The most informative data were obtained as a result of the use of the suboptimal dose of Con A having suppressor activity.