Normal suppressor-cell activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. A study on 26 cases

Suppressor-cell activity of 26 SLE patients suffering from active disease was compared to that of 15 healthy controls. ConA-induced and spontaneous suppression was evaluated. The mitogen-driven proliferation of normal allogeneic cells was significantly impaired by ConA-induced as well as spontaneous suppressor cells. However, no difference in suppressor-cell activity could be demonstrated between SLE patients and controls.