The clearance of heat-damaged erythrocytes by the reticulo-endothelial system in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Reticulo-endothelial function was assessed in 20 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and 11 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with regard to the clearance of heat-damaged erythrocytes (HDE). In contrast to previous reports, no correlations were found between disease activity, levels of circulating immune complexes and splenic function. There was no evidence of an obvious hypofunction in the reticulo-endothelial system of the spleen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. Moreover, a splenic hyperfunction is suggested to be present in some patients. A method for measuring the specific uptake by the liver, spleen and the clearance rate (T 1/2) of the HDE is also described.