Systemic lupus erythematosus with necrotizing vasculitis and upregulated expression of VLA-4 antigen

We report on a patient (S.A.), with well-defind SLE who developed a perforation of the ileum due to pathologically confirmed necrotizing vasculitis. No anti-DNA antibody was detected at the ileal perforation, and the serum complement level was normal. These findings rais ethe alternative possibility of a cellmediated immune mechanism as a cause of necrotizing vaculitis. Upregulateed expression and function of VLA-4 antigen on peripheral blood T cells were oberved, suggesting that T cells with VLA-4 antigen may participate in the onset and/or perpetuation of vascular inflammation.