Beneficial Effects of Non-Depleting Anti-CD4 in MRL/Mp-lpr/lprMice with Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Microscopic Angiitis

Abstract

MRU/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice spontaneously develop lymphoproliferation and systemic autoimmune disease . The majority of mice in any cohort develop systemic lupus eryth emato sus (SLE) and up to a quarter of the m develop a syndro me that resemblesmi croscopic angiitis (MPA). Both conditions are characterized by vasc ulitis, glomerulon ephriti sand autoantibody formation. Depletinganti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment is in effecti ve in MRL/lpr mice after di seaseonset. The presentstudy investigates the effects of a non-depleting anti-C D4 mAb in MRU/lpr mice with ac tive SLE or MPA .

This antibody increased survival compared to controllg but did not prolong survival compared to non-trea tedmice. However, anti - C D4 significantly reducedlymphoproliferati on in the mice and furthermore reduced the vasculitis component of the autoimmune di sease following several weeks of treatment.

Key Words:

• MRL
• Vasculitis
• Anti-CD4
• Myeloperoxidase