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. 1987 Jun:14 Suppl 13:21-5.

Interleukin 2, T cell receptor and sex hormone studies in autoimmune mice

N Talal, H Dang, S A Ahmed, E Kraig, M Fischbach
  • PMID: 3112377

Interleukin 2, T cell receptor and sex hormone studies in autoimmune mice

N Talal et al. J Rheumatol Suppl. 1987 Jun.

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease of immune dysregulation in which B cell hyperactivity and T cell deficiency are important characteristics. Sex factors also play a major role in the pathogenesis based on the physiologic effects of estrogen in promoting immunologic hyperactivity. Our findings suggest that a posttranscriptional mechanism is responsible for the functional interleukin 2 (IL-2) defect since transcription of the IL-2 message occurs after mitogenic stimulation. The proliferating cell in the MRL/lpr mouse model of lupus may be an immature T cell. The T cell receptor in these mice has a lower molecular weight than normal. This aberrant T cell receptor might be explained by a defect in glycosylation. The administration of estrogen to pregnant mice late in gestation results in offspring with a permanently altered immune system. These mice develop features of autoimmunity similar to those that occur spontaneously in genetically susceptible autoimmune mice. This phenomenon may have etiopathological significance for familial SLE.

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