Effect of androgen therapy on survival and suppressor cell activity in aged NZB/NZW F1 hybrid mice.
Male NZB/NZW F1 hybrid (B/W) mice survive their first year of life and die of lupus nephritis or lymphoid malignancy during the second year. Androgen therapy, even if delayed until 9 months of age, improves survival considerably. We report here that androgen therapy in aged B/W mice is associated with improved cell-mediated immune function as well as increased survival. Androgen treated mice have significantly augmented spleen cell responses to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and a decreased incidence of abnormal splenic suppressor activity. These results suggest that androgen may prolong survival in B/W mice in part through an effect on abnormally suppressive regulatory cells that impair T lymphocyte function.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone