title: B cell depletion with anti-CD79 mAbs ameliorates autoimmune disease in MRL/lpr mice.
abstract: MRL/lpr mice develop a spontaneous systemic lupus erythematosus-like autoimmune syndrome due to a dysfunctional Fas receptor, with contributions from other less well-defined genetic loci. The removal of B cells by genetic manipulation not only prevents autoantibody formation, but it also results in substantially reduced T cell activation and kidney inflammation. To determine whether B cell depletion by administration of Abs is effective in lupus mice with an intact immune system and established disease, we screened several B cell-specific mAbs and found that a combination of anti-CD79alpha and anti-CD79beta Abs was most effective at depleting B cells in vivo. Anti-CD79 therapy started at 4-5 mo of age in MRL/lpr mice significantly decreased B cells (B220(+)CD19(+)) in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and spleens. Treated mice also had a significant increase in the number of both double-negative T cells and naive CD4(+) T cells, and a decreased relative abundance of CD4(+) memory cells. Serum anti-chromatin IgG levels were significantly decreased compared with controls, whereas serum anti-dsDNA IgG, total IgG, or total IgM were unaffected. Overall, survival was improved with lower mean skin scores and significantly fewer focal inflammatory infiltrates in submandibular salivary glands and kidneys. Anti-CD79 mAbs show promise as a potential treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus and as a model for B cell depletion in vivo.
authors: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors: Yongmei
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: Fangqi
authors: F
authors: Chen
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Putt
authors: Yumee K
authors: YK
authors: Koo
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Madaio
authors: John C
authors: JC
authors: Cambier
authors: Philip L
authors: PL
authors: Cohen
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Eisenberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D051925:CD79 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000628:therapy; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D019463:Mice, Inbred MRL lpr; D015996:Survival Rate; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D051925:CD79 Antigens