ISSN:
1365-3083
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The MRL-lpr/lpr and MRL-++ mice were studied for the expression of cytokines in the spleen, lymph node., thymus, kidney and brain through the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The frequencies of IL-4 and TNF-a expression in the thymus and spleen were significantly higher in MRL-lpr/lpr mice than in MRL-++ mice from the age of 17 to 32 weeks. More importantly, IL-4 transcript was demonstrated in the early rather than in the terminal stage of the lupus disease. At the 20th week, MRL-lpr/lpr mice with active disease exhibited higher concentrations of IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-a in serum than MRL-++ mice. Interestingly, in MRL-lpr/lpr but not MRL-++ mice, the IL-6 concentration in culture supernatants of the thymic cells was significantly higher than that of the splenic or lymph node cells. On the other hand, IL-6 and IL-l/? were expressed in the brain and kidney of MRL-lpr/lpr mice but not of MRL-++ mice. Cultured MRL-lpr/lpr mesangial cells could also express IL-6 but to a lesser extent. These results suggest that the abnormal splenic and thymic IL-4 and TNF-α expression may predispose the development of autoimmune reactions. The expression of IL-1ß and IL-6 in the brain and kidney may be implicated in the damage of these two organs in MRL-lpr/lpr mice.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3083.1995.tb03548.x
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