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.
D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality; D006087:Graft vs Host Reaction; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007105:Immune Complex Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007978:Levamisole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality; D051379:Mice; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007978:Levamisole