Suppression by Cyclosporin A of Anti-GBM Nephritis in Rats.

Abstract

The suppressive effect of cyclosporin A (CyA) on the development of glomerulonephritis was evaluated in rats with either original- or crescentic-type anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) nephritis. CyA (2.5, 10 or 20 mg/kg) was given p.o. daily to original-type anti-GBM nephritic rats for 10 days from the day after the injection of anti-GBM serum. The development of the nephritis was dose-dependently suppressed by CyA before the production of specific antibody against rabbit gamma-globulin (the heterologous phase). In addition, CyA suppressed glomerular infiltration of leukocyte subsets (leukocyte with common antigen, T cell, helper T cell, suppressor/cytotoxic T cell, macrophage/monocyte). CyA was given p.o. daily to crescentic-type anti-GBM nephritic rats for 10 days from the 10th day after the injection of anti-GBM serum. CyA-administration caused a distinct suppression of the deterioration of nephritis during the autologous phase. In addition, CyA markedly suppressed the antibody production. The above data indicate that CyA has a beneficial effect on anti-GBM nephritis, and the antinephritic action of this agent may be due to the inhibition of glomerular infiltration of leukocyte subsets as well as the suppression of the antibody production.