Natural killer cell activity in dermatomyositis-polymyositis Article uri icon

abstract

  • We examined the baseline natural killer (NK) function and its modulation by interleukin-2 (IL-2) in 16 patients with dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM). Patients with active untreated disease had low baseline NK activity, while in patients with inactive and untreated disease, it was akin to the controls. Patients%27 cells with low NK activity responded less to IL-2 than those with normal NK activity. Studies at the single cell level revealed decreased target binding and killing cells with a normal recycling capacity. Our findings indicate an association between disease activity and decreased NK function in patients with DM/PM that could play a role in its association with malignancy.
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publication date

  • 1987-01-01