Decrease in the Degree of Lymphosplenomegaly and in the Serum IFN-γ Concentration but not in the Production of IgG and Anti-DNA Antibody in BXSB Mice Treated with Anti-IL-2 Receptor β Antibody

Abstract

In autoimmune Male BXSB mice, IL-2 receptor β (CD122) + CD4 + T cells with intermediate TCR are known to produce lymphosplenomegaly. The aim of the present study is to clarify whether or not these CD4 + T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Male BXSB mice were injected with anti-CD122 Ab (antibody) weekly from 8 to 13 weeks of age and mice were examined at 18 weeks of age. In addition to the inhibition of the lymphosplenomegaly, the number of lymphocytes in the spleen and liver were greatly reduced in Ab-treated BXSB mice by the decrease of CD122 + CD4 + T cells. Furthermore, the serum IFN-γ levels of Ab-treated BXSB mice decreased and mononuclear cell-infiltration in the liver as well as mesangeal lesions in the glomeruli also decreased. Lymphocytes isolated from the liver of Ab-treated BXSB mice showed a smaller natural killer (NK) NK-activity than did those of the control BXSB mice. However, the elevated serum IgG and anti-DNA Ab levels did not significantly differ between the two groups. Our findings suggest that CD122 + CD4 + T cells with intermediate TCR with NK activity are partly related to the pathogenesis of lupus like disease in BXSB mice, however, they do not play a substantial role in auto-antibody production.