HLA specificities, lymphocyte subsets, and mitogenic response in Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis

The present study failed to show a significant association of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Nephritis (HSPN) with any of the HLA specificities tested. No abnormalities pertaining to in vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis to various nonspecific mitogens (PHA, PWM, ConA) were detected during the clinical remission of HSPN. During the active phase, HSPN patients developed significant lymphocytosis. The absolute numbers of OKT4+ cells (helper cells) were significantly increased but absolute numbers of OKT8+ cells (suppressor cells) were not altered.