Mycophenolate mofetil suppresses autoimmunity and mortality in the female NZB x NZW F1 mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of the immunosuppressant, mycophenolate mofetil (MM), on autoimmunity, glomerulonephritis, and mortality in the female NZB x NZW F1 (B/W) mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
The development of murine lupus was assessed during the lifespan of 10 female B/W mice given 200 mg/kg/day of MM compared to 10 female B/W mice given vehicle. At 6 week intervals, mice were examined for weight change, albuminuria, antibodies to DNA, and IgG immunoglobulin levels. Morbidity and mortality were assessed daily. In a parallel study, MM treated and control B/W mice were examined at 18 weeks of age for splenocyte phenotype and adhesion molecule expression, as well as antibody titers and in vitro cytokine production in response to immunization with dinitrophenyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (DNP-KLH).


RESULTS
The administration of MM was well tolerated without apparent side effects. Weight gain in MM treated and control mice was identical through 36 weeks of age. In the treatment group, MM suppressed the development of albuminuria and anti-DNA antibodies compared to the control animals. There were no significant differences between groups in serum concentrations of total IgG. At 60 weeks of age survival in the MM treated group was 100% compared to 10% in the control group. MM did not alter the percentages of CD4, CD8, or IgM positive splenocytes; however, the percentage of CD4+ T lymphocytes expressing very late antigen 4 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 was reduced. MM inhibited the antibody response to DNP-KLH immunization in vivo; however, in vitro cytokine production in response to KLH was not suppressed.


CONCLUSIONS
MM suppressed the development of autoimmunity and prolonged lifespan in the female B/W mouse model of SLE. Suppression of autoimmunity was achieved without obvious side effects or altered CD4:CD8 T cell ratios. MM may be a useful primary or adjunctive therapy in human SLE.
McMurray
R W
RW
G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VAMC, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216, USA.
Elbourne
K B
KB
Lagoo
A
A
Lal
S
S
D000419:Albuminuria / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005470:Fluorometry; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D051379:Mice; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C042158:2,4-dinitrophenyl keyhole limpet hemocyanin; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D006433:Hemocyanins; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid