Effect of cyclophosphamide on interstitial nephritis and tubule cell proliferation in NZB/NZE mice

The effect of cyclophosphamide on renal interstitial mononuclear cell infiltration and renal tubule cell (TC) proliferation has been examined in (NZB x NZW)F1 hybrid (B/W) and control mice. TC proliferation was measured by tritiated thymidine (3/Tdr) injection, autoradiographic examination of kidney sections, and enumeration of labeled tubular cells. Cyclophosphamide administered 2 months before sacrifice virtually obliterated interstitial infiltration and significantly decreased tubule cell proliferation at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 months of age.