[The change of T lymphocyte subpopulations, interleukin-2 receptor and HLA-DR antigen in lupus nephritis patients].

In this study peripheral blood mononuclear cells were tested for T lymphocyte subpopulations, interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) and HLA-DR antigen by monoclonal antibodies in 14 LN patients. In comparison with normal controls, 14 LN patients showed a decrease of T4 lymphocyte (0.01 < P < 0.05) and increase of T8 cells (P < 0.01) with reduction of T4/T8 ratio (P < 0.01). The expression of HLA-DR cells increased (P < 0.01), the expression of IL-2R activated by PHA significantly decreased (P < 0.01), while nonactivated IL-2R expression significantly increased (P < 0.01). T4/T8 ratio was significantly correlated with activated IL-2R expression (P < 0.01, r = 0.6599). The results indicated that there was a immunological defect in LN patients. The pathogenesis of LN might be heterogeneous.