Therapeutic studies in NZB/NZW mice. VI. Age-dependent effects of concanavalin A stimulated spleen cell supernate

The effects of CP 17193, an immunosuppressive pyrazaloquinoline, on the development of spontaneous lupus disease in NZBW F1 hybrid mice

The effects of the immunosuppressive agent CP 17193 on the development of spontaneous lupus disease in female NZBW F1 hybrid mice were investigated. Long term dosing with CP 17193 markedly delayed the onset of mortality but did not extend the long term survival of the mice. CP 17193 significantly inhibited immune complex deposition in the glomeruli of 30- and 35-week-old mice and also reduced the levels of proteinuria in the 35-week-old mice. There was a slight reduction in the levels of circulating antinuclear antibody to ds DNA in CP 17193-treated mice but this was not statistically significant. Studies on immune cell function of 35-week-old mice dosed with CP 17193 showed significant reduction in the total numbers of spontaneous polyclonal antibody producing cells. Analysis of the results revealed these effects to result from a marked reduction in total spleen cell numbers in CP 17193-treated mice. When results were expressed as activity per cell unit the differences between drug-treated and control mice were small. Spleen cells from mice given a shorter dosing schedule of 7 weeks with CP 17193 showed an augmentation of IL-2 production and responsiveness. These results show CP 17193 having interesting selective immunomodulating activity on the immunopathogenesis of spontaneous murine lupus disease. Furthermore, compounds with this profile of activity may have a potential role in the treatment of some autoimmune diseases.

Spleen cell factor inhibits lymphoproliferation, abnormal Ia expression and overt autoimmunity in MRL-lpr mice

Autoimmune MRL-lpr have an abnormal pattern of lymphokine production. In our attempt to repair this defect, MRL-lpr mice were prophylactically treated daily with a lectin stimulated rat spleen cell product rich in interleukin-2. Therapy inhibited the lymphoid hyperplasia of the unique lymphocytes regulated by the lpr gene, suppressed the enhanced supranormal expression of Ia on peritoneal macrophages and protected this strain from autoimmune renal injury. Purified recombinant interleukin-2 alone did not prevent autoimmune disease expression. Thus, a spleen cell product other than interleukin-2 can ameliorate the aggressive course of lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity in MRL-lpr mice.

Potential use of human interleukin 2 as an adjunct for the therapy of neoplasia, immunodeficiency and infectious disease

Experimental and clinical systems have been developed to analyze both the in vitro and in vivo effects of highly purified interleukin 2 (IL2) as a potential therapeutic adjunct for neoplasia, immunodeficiency and infectious disease. Animal models, clinical in vitro studies, as well as preliminary clinical trials of IL2 in vivo show that this lymphokine may provide a necessary signal for the activation of thymus-derived T cells in immunologically-compromised hosts.

Natural killer augmentation in systemic lupus erythematosus via a soluble mediator derived from human lymphocytes

Seventeen patients with diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus were studied for natural killer activity and the ability of a human soluble immune-response factor to modify this activity. Defective natural killer activity was found in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus regardless of the stage of disease, medication, or organ system involvement (24.6% versus 47.8% cytotoxicity). After treatment with the immune-response factor, the natural killer activity increased in all patients, with a mean of 47.3% compared with 24.6% before treatment. This product has other immunologic activities and was shown to be free of interferon. The mechanism of action is not yet known, but such an immune-response factor has potential use in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Effects of concanavalin A-stimulated spleen cell supernate on the redevelopment of autoimmunity in NZB/NZW mice in induced remission

Because female NZB/NZW mice develop autoimmune abnormalities similar to those encountered in human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a group of female NZB/NZW mice were used to study mechanisms of autoimmunity. These mice were treated daily with an immune suppressive material, 0.5 ml of a concanavalin A-stimulated spleen cell supernate (CONS), starting at 30 weeks of age after induced remission with prednisolone. This CONS treatment effectively reduced the proteinuria and the severity of the renal lesions, but failed to reduce the serum anti-DNA antibody level. Thus, the CONS effect on the autoimmunity in the NZB/NZW mice in induced remission appears to result from a more complicated mechanism than reduction in serum anti-DNA antibody level.