Decreased in vivo functional T cell capacity in the murine autoimmune strains MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr and male BXSB/Mp.
We have studied the functional and proliferative capacity of the T cells of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-prone MRL and BXSB mice during aging. The study was performed in vivo, in the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) assay, and in vitro, in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Both assays showed depressed T cell responses in MRL/l and male BXSB mice at 4 to 5 and 9 to 10 months of age, respectively, when a significant proportion of the animals showed clear-cut disease. At younger ages, the proliferation-dependent DTH was not affected in MRL/l and male BXSB mice. This is in agreement with the reported primary B cell defect of male BXSB mice, but not with the reported early T cell abnormalities in MRL/l mice. A subnormal reactivity of the highly proliferating T helper cells or the existence of a T cell subset with normal DTH reactivity might account for the relatively long-lasting normal DTH reactivity in MRL/l mice.
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D013045:Species Specificity; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*
D000954:Antigens, Surface