Loss of suppressor T cells in the pathogenesis of the autoimmunity of NZB/W mice.
Loss of suppressor T cells was demonstrated in NZB/W mice, an animal model of autoimmunity. As NZB/W mice matured they lost splenic T cells that could be activated by concanavalin A (Con A) to become suppressor cells and lost the ability to produce the regulator of humoral immune responses, soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS). However, NZB/W spleen cells retained the capacity to respond to suppressor signals from Con A pulsed normal spleen cells. Thrice weekly administration of SIRS containing supernatants of Con A pulsed normal spleen cells to young NZB/W mice lead to a striking reduction in the manifestations of autoimmunity.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D008934:Mitogens; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes
D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008934:Mitogens; D003208:Concanavalin A