Studies on the lymphocyte subpopulation in systemic lupus erythematosus by monoclonal antibodies.

T cells and T-cell subsets were studied with monoclonal antibodies in 15 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during a 6-wk period. During active states of disease, all investigated T-cell subsets decreased, but the reduction of suppressor cells seemed to be more pronounced, therefore the helper/suppressor ratio increased. Less suppressor cells could be detected during clinical impairments and more during improvements.