IMMUNOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF INCREASED SOLUBLE CD8 CD4 MOLECULES IN PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS/

This study attempted to estimate soluble CD4(sCD4)/CD8(sCD8) molecules in active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Measurements w ere made by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. sCD8 or sCD 4 molecules were significantly increased in the patients as compared t o control subjects. sCD8 correlated with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. sCD4 correlated with the anti DNA antibody titer, the IgG conce ntration, and negatively with the complement titer. An association of these molecules with immunologic abnormalities and disease activity ex ists in SLE patients.