Changes in anti-lymphocyte and anti-Ia antibodies during pregnancy in systemic lupus erythematosus

Anti-lymphocyte antibodies reactive with monocyte-depleted lymphocytes, T cells, or B cells were studied in 43 nonpregnant and 23 pregnant systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Anti-Ia specificity was assayed in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system. No difference in mean lymphocytotoxicity was noted between pregnant and nonpregnant SLE patients; however, anti-Ia lymphocyte antibody associated with disease activity was lower (P less than 0.01) in pregnant than in nonpregnant SLE patients. Lymphocytotoxic or anti-Ia antibody activity did not reliably predict the outcome of individual pregnancies.