Abstract
MRL/MP 1pr-1pr (MRL-1pr) mice spontaneously develop an age-related disease characteristic of human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Old MRL-1pr mice (4 mo of age) develop antibodies to nucleic acids, display immune complex glomerulonephritis, and have a massive T cell-associated lymphadenopathy. In concert with disease development is data showing an age-related loss in interleukin 2 (IL 2) production by mitogen-stimulated lymphoid cells from these mice. The loss of IL 2 production has been suggested to be involved in the onset and/or development of autoimmune disease seen in these animals. In this report, we examined the frequency of both IL 2 and colony-stimulating factor (CSF) producer T cells in the MRL-1pr mouse by using a limiting dilution analysis assay. Our results show that the number of IL 2 and CSF producer cells present in autoimmune animals is similar to the number found in normal control mice. In addition, IL 2 and CSF producer T cells from autoimmune MRL-1pr mice make similar levels of lymphokine activity, as do producer T cells from normal mice. Our data argue against the previously hypothesized role that a paucity of IL 2 production may be involved in the etiology of autoimmune disease.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1863-1868 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Immunology |
Volume | 132 |
Issue number | 4 |
State | Published - 1984 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology