Activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in peripheral blood lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus.

In the population of peripheral blood lymphocytes from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) was lower than in healthy individuals. However, when erythrocyte-rosette forming cells (E-RFC) and non erythrocyte-rosette forming cells (non E-RFC) were separated by E-RFC method it was found that in SLE patients the activity of GGTP was increased in E-RFC and decreased in the population of non E-RFC. The altered activity of GGTP may be due to impaired surface membranes and changes in activation of these cells in SLE patients.