Suppressor cell defect in SLE: relationship to native DNA binding

Recent evidence suggests the presence of a suppressor T cell defect in systemic lupus erythematosus. We confirm the presence of such a defect and find a strong quantitative correlation between the loss of suppressor T cell function and the activity of SLE as measured by the presence of antibodies to native DNA. In addition, the serum of patients with active SLE contains a soluble factor which when incubated with normal peripheral blood lymphocytes induces a suppressor T cell defect. These data are consistent with the suppressor cell defect being involved in the propagation and possible the pathogenesis of SLE, and suggests a positive feedback mechanism whereby a suppressor cell defect results in autoantibodies including antibody to suppressor cells.