[Study of immunoregulation by interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in NZB/W F1 mice]

It is known that the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with the highly activated B cells. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) can obviously promote the proliferation and secretive activity of B cells. Moreover, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) can block the effect of IL-1 by specifically combining with IL-1 receptor, we, therefore studied the immunoregulative action of IL-1ra in lupus-like NzB/w F1 mice to detect any possible way to prevent lupus nephritis.

12 femal NZB/W F1 mice of 13 weeks (Weight: 30-35 g) were divided randomly into 2 groups. Each mouse in the treated group was intraperitoneally injected with IL-1ra once per 2 weeks for 3 times by the dosage of 100 micrograms (0.1 ml) per time, while in the control group injected with 0.1 ml normal saline. All the mice were killed at the age of 9 months and the immunologic function was detected.

This dosage could not prevent absolutely the development of lupus nephritis, but the renal damage was alleviated and the urine protein decreased. Moreover, it could improve the immunofunction by significantly reducing the levels of serum IL-1 alpha and obviously increasing the activities of NK cells and IL-2 induced by ConA in mononuclear cells of spleen. There was no significant difference on the levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha between the treated group and control group.

IL-1ra has certain regulatory effect on the immunologic function of lupus-like NZB/W F1 mice.