The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus

Many investigators believe that systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease, perhaps caused by inadequate suppressor T lymphocyte activity, which permits the activation of autoantibody producing B lymphocytes. This paper discusses the testable hypothesis that a superoxide-generating, chromosome aberration-inducing factor (clastogenic factor), present in the lymphocytes of lupus patients but absent from normals, is responsible for such a suppressor cell defect. Superoxide or activated oxygen species derived from it, such as hydroxyl radical, may be the molecular mediators of CF activity.