title: Effects of thymectomy or androgen administration upon the autoimmune disease of MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice.
abstract: MRL/lpr and NZB X NZW F1 mice were neonatally thymectomized or treated with androgens from 2 weeks of age, and their natural histories were studied. Neonatal thymectomy of MRL/lpr mice led to marked reduction in the usual massive lymphadenopathy as well as significant reduction in antibodies to native DNA and prolonged survival. In contrast, neonatal thymectomy of NZB X NZW F1 mice led to accelerated disease. Androgen therapy of both mice led to reduced anti-DNA and prolonged survival. This occurred in the MRL/lpr mice without significant reduction in lymphadenopathy. Taken together, these studies suggest that different T cell abnormalities may underlie the development of autoimmunity in MRL/lpr and NZB X NZW F1 mice, but that disease may be expressed through a common androgen-sensitive pathway.
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000906:Antibodies; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000276:immunology; D013934:Thymectomy
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D000906:Antibodies; D004247:DNA