title: A new mutation, ataxia and male sterility (ams), of autoimmune-prone MRL/lpr mouse is not linked to lpr gene but associated with reduction of spleen size and alteration of lymphocyte subpopulations.
abstract: We describe changes in the immune system of the newly established mutant line, ataxia and male sterility (AMS) mouse, and that the putative ams mutation is independent of lpr but seemed to affect lymphoproliferation in its mother strain, MRL/lpr. The mean weights of the spleen and lymph nodes of ams-lpr double-homozygous mouse were reduced compared with lpr single-homozygous mouse. Comparison between ams single-homozygous and control mice revealed 45-50% reduction of the spleen weight in the former for which reduction of the number of nucleated cells contributed greatly. In the lymphocyte/monocyte fraction of the spleen, there were significant changes in the proportion of lymphocyte subpopulations, with a reduction of B cells, an increase in CD4 and CD8 T cells, and a decrease in the CD4 : CD8 ratio. In vitro response of splenocytes to concanavalin A showed inconspicuous dose- and time-dependent responses in ams homozygous spleen, suggesting functional alteration of the immunological response. Our results indicate that ams mutation affects the immune system in addition to its two other major effects on the central nervous system and male reproductive system.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pathology, Otorhinolaryngology and Urology, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan.
authors.forename: Liliam L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Pineda
authors.forename: Akinobu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nakano
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iijima
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Yoji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamasaki
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001259:Ataxia / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000235:genetics*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D019463:Mice, Inbred MRL lpr / Q000235:genetics*; D008818:Mice, Neurologic Mutants; D009929:Organ Size / Q000235:genetics; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D003208:Concanavalin A