LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE IN MRL/1 MICE .1. THE EFFECTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF IMMUNOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES AND LUPUS NEPHRITIS

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 55  (2) , 333-339
Abstract
Weekly injection of cyclophosphamide (Cy) into MRL/Mp-1pr/1pr (MRL/1) mice, at a dose of 10-20 mg/kg, from 1 mo. of age prevented the development of generalized lymph node enlargement, decreased serum levels of anti-DNA antibodies and immune complexes and markedly prolonged their life span. Cy effectively suppressed enhanced differentiation of B cells, as evidenced by decreased number of Ig secreting cells in the spleen. Cy also suppressed abnormal expansion of Thy-1 positive cells in lymphoid organs of MRL/1 mice. Cy apparently prevented the development of murine lupus-like syndrome in MRL/1 mice through suppression of spontaneous polyclonal B cell activation and also by reducing the number of T cells to exert excessive helper activity on B cells.