In vitro effects of thymosin on T-cell subsets in systemic lupus erythematosus

The possible immunomodulatory influence of thymosin on lymphocytes from patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been evaluated. Such patients have decreased numbers of T-suppressor (T gamma) cells and normal numbers of T-helper (T mu) cells, resulting in an abnormally low T gamma/T mu ratio. In vitro incubation of lymphocytes from active SLE patients with thymosin resulted in a normalization of the T gamma/T mu ratio. This occurred because of a decrease in T mu cells rather than an increase in T gamma cells. The normalization of T gamma/T mu ratios in vitro in the presence of thymosin is compatible with possible in vivo immunomodulatory effects of these peptides.