Effects of administration of monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD4 or anti-CD8) on the development of autoimmune diseases in (NZW x BXSB)F1 mice

(NZW x BXSB)F1 (W/BF1) mice spontaneously develop autoimmune diseases, characterized by lymphadenopathy, lupus nephritis, and immune thrombocytopenia associated with various autoantibodies such as anti-DNA, anti-platelet and anti-cardiolipin antibodies (Abs). In the present study, we investigate the effects of administration of monoclonal Abs (anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 mAb) on the development of autoimmune diseases in W/BF1 mice. MAb was administered from the age of 7 weeks. Prolongation of survival rate and reduction of severity of autoimmune diseases were observed after treatment with anti-CD4 mAb. However, anti-CD8 mAb treatment accelerated the diseases. Serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 in old W/BF1 mice were significantly high, whereas IL-4 levels were low in comparison with those of young W/BF1 mice; the expression of mRNA of IFN-gamma, IL-4 or IL-10 in CD4(+) T cells of old W/BF1 mice was parallel to the serum levels of each cytokine. These observations suggest that CD4(+) cells are involved in the development of autoimmune diseases in W/BF1 mice, and that CD8(+) cells have a suppressive effect on the development of autoimmune diseases in W/BF1 mice.