Effect of altered lymphocyte function on immunologic disorders in NZB/NZW mice

Immunologic tests of value in diagnosis. 1. Acute phase reactants and autoantibodies

Acute phase reactants are nonspecific indicators of tissue necrosis and/or inflammation but may be helpful in determining activity of disease. Rheumatoid factor is likewise rather nonspecific, but its presence is helpful in predicting the course, severity, and complications of rheumatoid arthritis. Numerous antinuclear antibodies have been identified in collagen vascular diseases; perhaps the most specific association is between anti-Sm antibody and systemic lupus erythematosus. Anti-smooth-muscle and antimitochondrial antibodies can aid in differential diagnosis of liver disease, while antithyroid antibodies can perform a similar function in diffuse goiter. Anti-parietal-cell and anti-intrinsic-factor antibodies are quite specific for pernicious anemia.

Alteration of lymphocyte function in NZB/NZW mice. IV. Response to levamisole

NZB/NZW F1 female mice received levamisole in an attempt to increase suppressor T cell function. Responses varied with dosage of drug and age of mice. When treatment with 25 microgram/gm doses (intermittent or daily) was begun at 12 weeks of age, nephritis was accelerated in spite of transient reduction of anti-DNA antibodies. When treatment was begun at 4 weeks, or when doses of 250 microgram/gm were given, no clinical effects were observed. In the mice with accelerated disease, delayed hypersensitivity and antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes increased; antibody responses to pneumococcal polysaccharide were unaffected. It is possible that some increased immune responses associated with levamisole are undesirable in murine lupus.

Ribavirin treatment in murine autoimmune disease. I. Therapeutic efficacy and effect on the immune response

NZB/W F1 female mice were treated from 20 weeks of age with ribavirin (a broad spectrum antiviral drug), cyclophosphamide, or saline. Treatment with ribavirin (250 mg/kg twice weekly) prolonged survival from 9.8 to 18.5 months, reduced anti-DNA antibodies, and prevented proteinuria. Ability of ribavirin to prolong survival was dose related when given on a twice weekly schedule. However, daily ribavirin (25 mg/kg/day) was as effective as higher intermittent doses. Optimal ribavirin therapy was equal to cyclophosphamide treatment with regard to prolongation of survival. Ribavirin treatment did not significantly alter the body weight, hematocrit, WBC count, serum immunoglobulins, or Coombs reactivity. No alterations in either cellular or humoral immune responses were noted in NZB/W F1 or BALB/c mice treated for prolonged periods with ribavirin. The impressive therapeutic response to a broad spectrum antiviral agent seen in mice already manifesting immune complex nephritis provides a new therapeutic approach to the treatment of autoimmunity.

Effect of altered lymphocyte function on immunologic disorders in NZB/NZW mice. III. Acceleration of disease by thymosin

Administration of thymosin fraction V to NZB/NZW F1 mice, an animal model for human SLE, accelerated the appearance of proteinuria and anti-nDNA antibodies, increased deposition of immunoglobulins in kidneys, and significantly shortened survivals. Although the addition of thymosin to in vitro cultures of spleen and lymph node cells from thymosin-treated mice increased DNA synthesis in response to stimulation with Con A, in vivo treatment with thymosin did not affect the Con A response. There was no effect on in vitro responses to PHA or LPS, or on IgM antibody formation to SRBC (T cell dependent) or SSS III (T cell independent) immunizations. Antibodies to thymosin or contamination of our thymosin preparations with nucleic acids could not be demonstrated. The acceleration of autoimmune disease produced by thymosin treatment could not be explained by alteration of the T and B cell functions studied.