Natural killer cells in systemic lupus erythematosus. Abnormal numbers and functional immaturity of HNK-1 super(+) cells

A monoclonal antibody, HNK-1, that detects a differentiation antigen on human granular lymphocytes with natural killer (NK) activity was used to enumerate this subpopulation in the peripheral blood of 14 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The evidence suggests that levels of HNK-1 super(+) lymphocytes are abnormal and functionally immature in most SLE patients. Longitudinal studies conducted over several months on a number of SLE patients demonstrated fluctuations in the ratio of mature and immature HNK-1 super(+) cells and total HNK-1 super(+) cells. Additional patients tested over longer periods of time will have to be studied to determine whether the proportion of mature NK cells (HNK-1 super(+) OKT3 super(-)) and immature NK cells (HNK-1 super(+) OKT3 super(+)) will be useful in predicting the clinical course of disease.