Interferon Inhibitors in Lupus Erythematosus

To the Editor: In a study of the interferon system in various disease conditions, we have found that a powerful interferon-inhibitory activity is present in the circulation of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Kaposi's sarcoma and in some patients with advanced metastatic neoplastic disease.^{1, 2} A preliminary study revealed increased levels of interferon in patients infected with HIV type 1 (HIV-1). These levels declined as the disease progressed, and finally gave way to high levels of interferon inactivator. In 75 normal subjects studied, no interferon inhibitors were found at any time. Recently, we have examined^{1, 2} serum samples from.