Mixed lymphocyte reaction in interferon-gamma treated (NZB x NZW)F1 mice

Mouse interferon-gamma was administered to (NZB x NZW)F1 mice, which develop a disease like human systemic lupus erythematosus. Class II antigens on adherent spleen cells and their activity to stimulate allogeneic T lymphocyte in mixed lymphocyte reaction were observed as well as the changes of the clinical findings of the mice. In interferon-gamma treated mice, as compared to control mice, the positive rate for class II antigen on adherent spleen cells was increased, and the mixed lymphocyte reaction using the cells of interferon-gamma treated mice as stimulator cells was enhanced. These findings suggest that the enhancement of antigen presenting activity of adherent spleen cells to T lymphocytes might be associated in the exacerbation of the disease in interferon-gamma treated (NZB x NZW)F1 mice.