Genetic potential for an acute inflammatory response in IgA glomerulonephritis in mice

Mice selected on the basis of an acute inflammatory response (AIR) can provide information about the immunopathological mechanisms of glomerulonephritis. We studied the differences between mice selected for a maximal AIR (AIRmax that attract more polymorphonuclear cells to the site of injury) or a minimal AIR (AIRmin that attract more mononuclear cells) in an experimental model of IgA nephropathy in order to investigate the effect of genetic background on glomerular disease progression and the participation of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) chemokine. IgA nephropathy was induced by intraperitoneal ovalbumin injection and bile duct ligation in AIRmax and AIRmin mice. Histological changes, urinary protein/creatinine ratio, serum IgA levels, immunofluorescence for IgA, IgG and complement C3 fraction, immunohistochemistry for macrophages and MCP-1, and MCP-1 levels in macerated kidney were determined. Mesangial IgA deposition was seen only in AIRmin mice, which presented more renal lesions. Increased serum IgA levels (1.5 ± 0.4 vs 0.3 ± 0.1 mg/mL, P < 0.001), high glomerular MCP-1 expression and decreased monocyte/macrophage infiltration in the interstitial area (0.3 ± 0.3 vs 1.1 ± 0.9 macrophages/field, P < 0.05) were detected in AIRmin mice compared to AIRmax mice. No glomerular monocyte/macrophage infiltration was detected in either strain. In spite of the absence of IgA deposition, AIRmax mice presented discrete or absent mesangial proliferation. The study showed that there are differences between mice selected for AIRmax and AIRmin with respect to serum IgA levels, histological damage and MCP-1 chemokine production after ovalbumin injection in combination with bile duct ligation.

Effect of bacillus of Calmette-Guerin, avridine and Propionibacterium acnes as immunomodulators on rabies in mice

Avaliou-se a resposta imune celular e humoral de camundongos inoculados com virus rabico de rua e submetidos aos imunomoduladores Onco-BCG, avridina e Propionibacterium acnes. Os animais submetidos ao tratamento com P. acnes apresentaram um maior percentual de sobrevivencia quando comparados aos dos demais tratamentos. Foram observados menores niveis de IFN-gama nos animais infectados, sugerindo imunossupressao viral. O teste do Coxim Plantar nao foi eficaz para a deteccao da resposta de hipersensibilidade retardada na metodologia utilizada, contrariamente ao MIF. A sobrevivencia dos animais nao apresentou correlacao com os niveis de anticorpos soroneutralizantes, concentracao de IFN-gama e resposta ao MIF

Reduced humoral immunity in uremic mice genetically selected for high antibody response

Biozzi's Selection IV-A mice, genetically selected for 25 generations for high and low antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), 2-3 months old, were made uremic by subtotal nephrectomy and characterized for antibody production against the selection antigen. T cell activity was evaluated in vitro by lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin 2 (IL 2) production in response to the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Total and IgM antibody titers (log2) were similar in uremic and non-uremic low responder mice (total antobody: 4.0 +/- 0.6 vs 3.6 +/- 0.6; IgG: 3.0 +/- 0.7 vs 2.4 +/- 0,4), while uremic high responders presented a blunted humoral immune response to SRBC when compared with non-uremic animals (total antibody: 10.8 +/- 1.6 vs 13.0 +/- 0.2; IgG: 10.3 +/- 1.5 vs 11.7 +/- 0.3). T cell proliferation and IL 2 production were similar in uremic and ...