Oestrogen is a potent disease accelerator in SLE-prone MRL lpr/lpr mice.
The influence of oestrogen on the lupus disease in MRL/l mice has been investigated. Adult, castrated male and female MRL/l mice were administered with s.c. injections of 3.2 micrograms of 17 beta-oestradiol twice a week. The results clearly demonstrate that a relatively small dose of oestrogen is a potent accelerator of the lupus disease in this mouse strain. Thus, administration of oestrogen accelerates glomerulonephritis, lymphoproliferation and mortality. Our results also indicate that oestrogen exerts a dual effect on the immune system of MRL/l mice by depression of antigen-specific and mitogen-induced T cell responses as well as enhancement of polyclonal B cell activation and autoantibody formation. In addition, even short-term administration of oestrogen in the preclinical phase of the disease resulted in long-lasting effects as evaluated by reduced longevity and aggravation of renal disease.
Carlsten
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Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Tarkowski
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Holmdahl
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Nilsson
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LA
D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000139:chemically induced; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D004958:Estradiol; C010452:estradiol-17 beta-benzoate