T lymphocyte colony formation and autoimmune disease: in vitro assessment of immunopathology.

Human T lymphocyte colonies were generated with phytohemagglutinin in semi-solid media to assess the influence of cellular and humoral components upon colony formation by patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to normal age-matched controls. Optimal colony formation occurred for patients with SLE and controls approximately 6 d after culture. However, colony formation by patients with active disease was significantly reduced compared to both controls and patients with inactive disease. Similar results were obtained in liquid cultures. There was no statistical correlation between colony forming capacity and quantitation of liquid culture transformation. Observation of the influences of patient sera produced striking dose response relationships. SLE sera were found to inhibit colony formation at high concentration (30-190%) but enhanced at lower concentrations (25-694%).