Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity in systemic and discoid lupus erythematosus

ABSTRACT

Peripheral natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity was studied in five patients with active discoid lupus erythematosus [DLE] and two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]; one with active untreated disease and one under glucocorticosteriod treatment. Each patient was compared to a healthy control matching for the patient's age, sex and skin color. There was no significant difference between the DLE patients as a group and their respective controls, despite some moderate variation in their natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity. The untreated SLE patient showed a definite reduction in the natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity to 27.2% of that of the respective control. The glucocorticosteroid treated patient showed a normal level of natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity. The effect of the glucocorticosteroids is discussed in relation to their action on their immunological mechanisms