Effect of proline-rich polypeptide on experimental autoimmune response to erythrocytes

PRP administration in parallel with RRBC injections increased the AEAP in mice, as did adult thymectomy carried out six weeks before the RRBC injections. On the other hand, PRP administration to thymectomized mice during immunization with RRBC decreased the intensity of AEAP to the level observed in intact, RRBC immunized controls. The number of ARFC among non-B lymphocytes in peripheral blood was increased in mice immunized with RRBC compared to those in non-immunized animals. PRP administration during immunization with RRBC or adult thymectomy lowered their number below the values in non-immune animals and non-B ARFC number comparable to those in control, immunized animals was observed in thymectomized mice injected with PRP in parallel with RRBC. The values of ARFC among the NAL were higher than among the non-B lymphocytes but their shifts in the individual experimental groups were in the same direction as among the non-B lymphocytes. However, their shifts after thymectomy and/or PRP treatment were in opposition to those of the intensity of AEAP in the respective experimental groups.