[Nucleophagocytosis in monocytes--an immunocytologic phenomenon of anti-dna-antibodies].

In SLE-sera antinuclear antibodies pervent normal nuclear degeneration, i.e. lysis of free nuclei. In sera with high titers, small rigid LE-bodies develop rapidly, which are soon phagocytized in toto by neutrophil granulocytes and monocytes. Classic LE-cells as well as Tart-cells are formed. The foreign appearance of the phagosomes in the monocytes is a result of the different digestive processes occuring in these phagocytes. With decreasing serum activity, the LE-bodies expand somewhat more and become viscous. From these nuclei, relatively small portions are phagocytized fairly late. Sjögren-cells of the granulocytic as well as the monocytic type are generated. Nucleophagocytosis only occurs in the presence of antinuclear antibodies, regardless of whether it leads to LE-cell, Tart-cell or partial phagocytosis, i.e. Sjögren-cells of the granulocytic or monocytic type. A non-specific nucleophagocytosis does not exist.