Inhibition of proliferative and suppressor responses in the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction by serum from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Serum from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) prevents the proliferative response of normal T cells when stimulated by autologous or allogeneic non-T cells. The abrogation of proliferation in an autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) with SLE serum is associated with a lack of suppressor T cell generation. Fractionation of SLE sera on sucrose gradients reveals an 18-12 S peak of Raji cell binding material. Fractions with an S value of </=12 S show inhibitory activity in an AMLR.