Treatment of autoimmune MRL/lpr mice with anti-B220 monoclonal antibody reduces the level of anti-DNA antibodies and lymphadenopathies.
The predominant accumulating cells in the lymphoid tissue of MRL/lpr mice have been shown to carry the B220 cell marker. This antigen is expressed on B cells and on T-cell precursors. In order to know the pathogenic involvement of cells carrying this marker, we treated MRL/lpr mice periodically with RA3-6B2, a specific anti-B220 monoclonal antibody, or rat IgG2b as a control. After 12 weeks of treatment, a significant reduction (P less than 0.01) in the size of the lymph nodes and spleen was observed only in the group treated with RA3-6B2 monoclonal antibody. This reduction was mainly due to a decrease in the Thy-1.2+ and B220+ subpopulations. Anti-DNA and anti-Sm antibody titres were also reduced significantly (P less than 0.01) after the therapy. Proliferative response to mitogens (Con A, PHA, LPS) and IL-2 production was not improved after the anti-B220 treatment. These results suggest a pathogenic role of lymphocytes carrying the B220 marker in the autoimmune disease of MRL/lpr mice.
Asensi
V
V
Department of Immunology, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kimeno
K
K
Kawamura
I
I
Sakumoto
M
M
Nomoto
K
K
D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D004247:DNA; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens