Abstract
In a previous publication, we demonstrated that a macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) could be produced by lymphocytes from some patients with ITP in the presence of homologous or autologous platelets. In the present study, lymphocytes from 11 patients with SLE, 14 with ITP, and 13 normal individuals were cultured with autologous platelets, homologous platelets, and platelet membrane. Lymphocytes from 5 patients with SLE (45.5%) and 6 with ITP (42.8%) were stimulated to produce soluble MIF in response to autologous and homologous platelets. Lymphocytes from 2 out of the 5 patients with SLE were stimulated only by autologous platelets. Preincubation of normal platelets with sera obtained from these 2 patients with SLE also stimulated normal lymphocytes to produce MIF. Furthermore, active serum factor(s) were not detected in serum from the inactive stage of SLE. These results indicate that two different types of lymphocyte stimulation may exist in patients with SLE. One is due to the development of sensitized T lymphocytes to platelets, and the other to nonspecific stimulation by serum factor(s) such as immune complexes. Close correlation between the percentage migration and platelet count suggests that cell-mediated immunity to autologous platelets may play some role in the pathogenesis of the thrombocytopenic state of SLE.
Published Version
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