title: The relationship between plasma fibronectin levels and autoimmune disease activity in MRL/l mice.
abstract: Plasma fibronectin levels increased significantly over time in MRL/l mice with progressive autoimmune disease. At 100 and 120 days of age both male and female MRL/l mice exhibited significantly higher fibronectin (Fn) levels than the more resistant MRL/l controls. Male mice at early time points had Fn levels no greater than controls due perhaps to the later onset of disease in MRL/l males. In contrast, female MRL/l mice, when compared with MRL/n controls, had higher Fn levels from 40 days of age. The proteinuria in these animals was also above MRL/n controls from the first time point taken (Day 40). In a temporal study with female MRL/l mice, Fn levels peaked at age 120 days and reflected the pattern of the survival curve, indicating that plasma Fn levels have an association with disease activity.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D011507:Proteinuria; D012737:Sex Factors; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D005353:Fibronectins