Familial Occurrence of impaired interleukin-2 activity and increased peripheral blood B cells actively secreting immunoglobulins in systemic lupus erythematosus☆

Abstract 

purpose: We tested the hypothesis that some abnormalities of immune functions are genetically controlled in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

subjects and methods: We used a phytohemaglutinin-induced interleukin-2 (IL2) activity assay and a spontaneous plaque-forming cell assay to evaluate T-cell and B-cell function, respectively, in 34 clinically healthy family members of six SLE probands.

results: Impaired IL-2 activity was found in 15 of the 29 consanguineous relatives. There was no relation between the household relatives and the nonhousehold relatives; none of the five nonconsanguineous household persons had abnormal results. Results for the B-cell assay were abnormal in 22 of the 29 consanguineous relatives. The B-cell abnormalities were more commonly observed in the consanguineous household relatives; four of the five nonconsanguineous household relatives also had abnormal assay results.

conclusion: The findings indicate that the impaired IL-2 activity in relatives appears to strongly correlate with a genetic relationship. Although the evidence favors in genetic basis for the B-cell abnormalties, environmental effects may also contribute to the familial occurrence of these abnormalities.

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