Immunohistochemical study on the cytokine-producing cells in NZB/W F1 mice

• Main Authors: Chen Yen-Cheng, 陳彥丞
• Other Authors: Yang, Bei-Chung
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 1999
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/02864019313977879899

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 微生物暨免疫學研究所 === 87 === Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem disease characterized by disturbances in the immune system associated with the production of autoantibodies to self-antigens. NZB/W F1 mice, which spontaneously develop a lupus-like syndrome characterized by an increased level of autoantibodies in old mice, is a mode for SLE. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an abundant adrenal steroid with limited intrinsic androgenic activity, was shown to ameliorate nephritis in NZB/W F1 mice. Cytokines might play an important roles in the development of SLE. IL-10 and IL-6 are produced at high levels of patients with SLE. In this study, we investigated cytokine-producing cells in kidney, spleen and blood lymphocytes of NZB/W F1 mice after DHEA treatment. Infiltrating cells in the renal arteriole and around sites showing glomerulus atrophy were observed by H&E staining in kidney at 10 month-old. Some of these cells expressed IL-10, TNF-a or IFN-g. DHEA could decrease the expression number of IL-10 and TNF-a in infiltrating cells, early expression of IFN-g in kidney as detected by immunohistochemical staining. IL-10-, TNF-a- and IFN-g- producing cells in spleen were found in control mice at 8, 10, 12 month-old. These cytokines expressing cells in mice received DHEA are lower than that of control group. Double staining experiments revealed some of IgG+ B cells produced IL-10 and TNF-a, part of TCR+ T cells produced TNF-a in kidney. Some TCR+ T cells produced IL-10, TNF-a and IFN-g. Some IgG+ B cells produced IL-10. In view of time, cytokine producing cells appeared in spleen earlier than kidney. In peripheral blood, IgM+ B cells produce IL-10 and T cells produce IFN-g. In conclusion, IL-10 producing cells mostly were B cells in kidney and spleen of NZB/W F1 mice. Some of TNF-a and IFN-g producing cells were T cells. DHEA could promote the expression of IFN-g in kidney and decrease the number of IL-10 - and TNF-a - producing cells in kidney and spleen. The emergence of cytokine producing cells in kidney and spleen may play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE.