Effects of recombinant interleukin-2 on immunological abnormalities in NZB/W F1 mice.

NZB/W F1 mice, animal models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), have age dependent loss of interleukin-2 (IL-2) productions and response to IL-2. But it has not been known whether in vivo administration of IL-2 is effective on disease of NZB/W F1 mice. The studies have been done in two protocols: one is short term (1 month) study and another is long term (6 month) study. We examined the effects of human recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) on proteinuria, survival, syngeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions (SMLR), and autoantibody productions. We had following results:1. In short term study, the administrations of rIL-2 have no effects on IL-2 productions and proliferative responses to IL-2. But, in vivo IL-2 administration recovered significantly SMLR in 16 week age of NZB/W F1 mice.2. In long term study, IL-2 administration had no effects on production of IgM class anti-dsDNA antibody, but suppressed significantly IgG class anti-dsDNA antibody production. Reduction of profuse proteinuria and improvement of survival rate were also observed.In conclusion, IL-2 treatment might have some beneficial effects on SMLR and anti-dsDNA antibody production in NZB/W F1 mice.