Mercury induces polyclonal B cell activation,autoantibody production and renal immune complex deposits in young (NZB × NZW)F1 hybrids

It is well established that in susceptible mouse strains, chronic treatment with subtoxic doses of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) induces a systemic autoimmune disease, which is characterized by increased serum levels of IgG1 and IgE antibodies, by the production of anti-nucleolar antibodies and by the development of immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis. Susceptibility to mercury is partly under the control of major histocompatibility complex genes. To study the susceptibility to mercury further, we investigated the in vivo effects of mercury in young autoimmune disease prone (NZB × NZW)F1 (H-2^d/z) mice prior to establishment of spontaneous autoimmune disease. Mercury-susceptible SJL (H-2^s) mice and mercury low-responder BALB/c (H-2^d) mice were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. In (NZB × NZW)F1 mice, treatment with mercury stimulated an intense antibody formation characterized by increased numbers of splenic IgG1 and IgG3 antibody-producing cells as well as by elevated serum IgE levels. Injection with mercury also induced an increased production of IgG1, IgG2b and IgE antibodies in SJL, but not in BALB/c mice. The mercury-induced IgG1 response in (NZB × NZW)F1 and SJL mice was found to be polyclonal and autoantibodies against double-stranded (ds)DNA, IgG, collagen, cardiolipin, phosphatidylethanolamine as well as antibodies against the hapten trinitrophenol were produced. In addition, SJL, but not (NZB × NZW)F1 or BALB/c mice, produced IgG1 anti-nucleolar antibodies after treatment with mercury. Further studies demonstrated that (NZB × NZW)F1 and SJL mice developed high titers of renal mesangial immune complex deposits containing IgG1 antibodies 3 weeks after injection with mercury. Thus, a mouse strain genetically prone to develop spontaneous autoimmune diseases is highly susceptible to mercury-induced immunopathological alterations.     

IL-4Ralpha polymorphism in regulation of IL-4 synthesis by T cells: implication in susceptibility to a subset of murine lupus

To thoroughly understand the role of IL-4 in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a prototypic antibody-mediated systemic autoimmune disease, we examined the potential of in vitro IL-4 production by anti-CD3 mAb-stimulated splenic T cells in SLE model of NZB, BXSB and related mouse strains. Unexpectedly, both SLE-prone NZB and BXSB mice had a limited potential to produce IL-4, while disease-free NZW mice had a high potential. Levels in (NZB x NZW) F1 and (NZW x BXSB) F1 were in between. Genome-wide search for quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling this variation identified a single significant QTL in the vicinity of IL-4Ralpha gene on chromosome 7. Sequence analysis of IL-4Ralpha cDNA revealed that there are 17 nucleotide substitutions resulting in eight amino acid changes between NZB and NZW strains. BXSB showed the identical sequence, as did NZB. Thus, it was suggested that the NZW-type polymorphism controls a high potential and the NZB/BXSB-type polymorphism controls a low potential for IL-4 production by T cells. Linkage studies using NZW x (NZW x BXSB) F1 male and (NZB x NZW) F1 x NZW female back-cross mice revealed that the BXSB/NZB-type IL-4Ralpha polymorphism significantly linked to BXSB, but not to (NZB x NZW) F1 lupus. Thus, the low IL-4-producing phenotype appears to predispose to SLE in BXSB, but not NZB-related strains, suggesting that the role of IL-4 in the pathogenesis may differ between certain subsets of SLE, even if they show similar disease phenotypes.     

Protein-G binding material from synovial fluid of rhematoid arthritis patients induces unorthodox autoantibodies (IgG1 rheumatoid factor) in NZB,NZW and (NZB x NZW)F1 mice

Our previous studies have demonstrated that injection of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fluid (SF) induces a marked increase mainly of IgG1 antibody-producing cells in autoimmune disease prone (NZB X NZW)F1 mice but not in CBA mice. In the present study, the in vivo effect of RA-SF on autoantibody production was tested in different strains of mice. Injection of RA-SF induced the production of unorthodox autoantibodies (IgG1 rheumatoid factor, RF) in young (NZB X NZW)F1 mice as well as in their parental strains NZB and NZW, but not in normal mice (CBA) or in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency, indicating that the response is not caused by a conventional immune response against RA-SF material. IgG1 RF production was rapidly induced and reached high levels already on day 7 and lasted for more than 90 days. The induction of IgG1 RF was not the result of polyclonal activation, since RA-SF did not stimulate the production of other antibodies, such as autoantibodies against double-stranded DNA, bromelain-treated mouse red blood cells, myosin, transferrin, cytochrome c, thyroglobulin or myoglobin or antibodies reactive with the hapten TNP. To elucidate the identity of the active substance in RA-SF, responsible for IgG1 RF production, bound and unbound material of RA-SF, eluted from a protein-G column was injected into (NZB X NZW)F1 mice. Only the protein-G binding material was active, indicating that the effect is mediated by autoantibodies or immune complexes in the synovial fluid. Further studies demonstrated that identical concentrations of protein obtained from a pool of normal human IgG or SF from seronegative RA and non-RA arthritides patients did not contain the same activity.     

Age-dependent responsiveness to interleukin-6 in B lymphocytes from a systemic lupus erythematosus-prone (NZB x NZW)F1 hybrid.

The cellular mechanisms for the production of IgG anti-DNA antibodies were studied. Culture of T and B cells from old (NZB x NZW)F1 mice led to the production of IgG anti-DNA antibodies. We found that direct cell contact was partly necessary for the production of IgG anti-DNA antibodies. Fixation of the T cells showed that lymphokines were largely responsible for the antibody synthesis. Antibodies to mouse interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibited the production of these antibodies in the T-B cell coculture. Human IL-6 could induce small "resting" B cells from the old (NZB x NZW)F1 mice to produce IgG anti-DNA antibodies in a dose-dependent fashion. The response was inhibited by an anti-human IL-6 monoclonal antibody. Large or small B cells from young (B/W)F1 mice or Balb/c mice were not induced by IL-6 to antibody production. Therefore, the capacity of the B/W mice to produce the IgG anti-DNA antibodies correlated with the ability of the B cells to respond to IL-6 and with the age at which the mice begin to have signs of the disease.     

Ifi202, an IFN-inducible candidate gene for lupus susceptibility in NZB/W F1 mice, is a positive regulator for NF-kappaB activation in dendritic cells

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies and lupus nephritis. The [New Zealand black (NZB) x New Zealand white (NZW)]F1 (BWF1) mouse has been recognized as an important animal model of human SLE. The T(h)1-prone phenotype of BWF1 mice has been shown to contribute to the development of the lupus. However, the molecular basis for T(h)1 skewing in BWF1 mice has not been clarified. We noticed that IL-6, IL-12 and other proinflammatory cytokines as well as IkappaB-zeta induction were higher in mature bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) from NZB and BWF1 mice than those from NZW mice. The expression of an IFN-inducible gene Ifi202, a candidate gene for lupus, was almost undetectable in NZW BMDCs. Thus, we hypothesized that Ifi202 is involved in elevated IL-12 production from BWF1 BMDCs. Overexpression of Ifi202 enhanced the LPS-induced IkappaB-zeta, IL-12p40 and NF-kappaB promoter activities, while anti-sense (AS) RNA against Ifi202 strongly suppressed them in a monocytic cell line, RAW 264.7. Furthermore, overexpression of Ifi202 enhanced LPS-induced IL-12p40 and IkappaB-zeta mRNA induction while Ifi202 AS RNA suppressed these in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, forced expression of Ifi202 enhanced IL-12p40 mRNA induction in NZW BMDCs. Thus, Ifi202 is an important NF-kappaB activator in DCs and involved in IL-12 production, which may account for a T(h)1-prone phenotype of BWF1 mice.     

let-7f对骨髓间充质干细胞增殖的影响

背景：microRNA let-7f和炎性因子白细胞介素6对骨髓间充质干细胞的具体作用及两者之间是否存在联系尚不可知。 目的：分析let-7f及白细胞介素6表达水平对骨髓间充质干细胞增殖的影响及两者的关系。 方法：①构建let-7f过表达及抑制慢病毒载体,分别转染SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,实验分为4个组：转染上调组(转染LV-rno-let-7f-up)、转染下调组(转染LV-rno-let-7f-down)、阴性转染组(转染空病毒)、未转染组(不进行病毒转染)。 qRT-PCR检测各组细胞let-7f表达水平。MTT法、流式细胞术和ELISA等方法检测不同let-7f表达水平下细胞增殖情况及白细胞介素6表达水平,qRT-PCR及Western blot检测各组Cyclin D1 mRNA和蛋白表达水平。②预测let-7f潜在的靶基因,构建野生型/突变型白细胞介素6 3’UTR报告基因载体,分别与let-7f/let-7f inhibitor共转染293T细胞系,测定荧光素酶活性。 结果与结论：let-7f转染上调组较未转染组及阴性转染组细胞增殖能力及克隆能力明显增强,G1期细胞数明显减少,S期明显增多,凋亡减少(P < 0.05);转染下调组结果与其相反。let-7f转染上调组细胞培养液中的白细胞介素6表达水平低于未转染组及阴性转染组(P < 0.05);转染下调组细胞培养液中的白细胞介素6则明显升高(P < 0.05);Western blot、定量PCR显示let-7f转染上调组Cyclin D1蛋白及mRNA表达上调(P < 0.05);转染下调组表达均下调(P < 0.05);未转染组与阴性转染组所有结果无明显差异(P > 0.05)。野生型白细胞介素6 3’UTR报告基因载体与let-7f共转染细胞的荧光素酶活性显著减低(P < 0.05)。结果表明上调let-7f表达水平可显著促进骨髓间充质干细胞增殖活性及克隆形成能力,减少凋亡,而下调let-7f表达水平则出现抑制作用。白细胞介素6过表达可抑制骨髓间充质干细胞增殖,考虑白细胞介素6是let-7f的靶基因,let-7f可能通过抑制白细胞介素6表达而促进细胞增殖。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程      

Examination of the inhibitory effects of interferon-gamma on interleukin-4-induced stimulation of resting B cells from NZB/NZW F1 mice.

Percoll fractionation of NZB/NZW F1 mouse B cells revealed an increased ratio of low-density fraction ('activated' B cell fraction) and a decreased ratio of high-density fraction ('resting' B cell fraction), in comparison to normal mouse B cells. Resting B cells of B/W F1 mice were hyperresponsive to interleukin-4 (IL-4), with increased proliferation and IgG anti-DNA antibody production, in comparison to normal mice. The hyper-responses of resting B cells from NZB/NZW F1 mice to IL-4 were affected with dose dependency by interferon-gamma (INF-gamma); specifically, cell proliferation and anti-nuclear antibody production were suppressed in the presence of IFN-gamma. This suppressor action of IFN-gamma was most noticeable when it was added to the culture system simultaneously with IL-4. These findings suggested that the abnormally activated state of NZB/NZW F1 mice B cells can be attenuated by the action of IFN-gamma on resting B cells.     

Immune suppression to nucleosides: differences between NZB and NZW mice

Previous studies (Y. Borel and M. C. Young, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1980. 77: 1593) have shown that one can raise nucleic acid-specific suppressor T cells which diminish either the T-dependent immune response in vivo or the T-independent immune response in vitro. The results presented here confirm and extend these observations in several different strains of mice. Administration of nucleoside-modified spleen cells diminishes antibody-forming cells to nucleoside in mice immunized with nucleoside linked to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Immune suppression was obtained in all strains except SJL and NZW, which are known to be high responders to denatured DNA. Both the primary and secondary immune responses were suppressed in C57BL/6 mice. Autologous cells exhibit a different ability to function as carriers. Spleen cells are the most effective, and to a certain extent, thymus cells. In contrast, bone marrow cells and red cells fail to induce immune suppression. A strain difference was found between NZB and NZW mice in their susceptibility to immunosuppression by nucleoside-modified spleen cells. Whereas NZB mice are high responders to nucleoside-KLH, they were easily suppressed by nucleoside coupled to spleen cells. In contrast, NZW mice, although relatively low responders to nucleoside-KLH, were not suppressed by administration of nucleoside coupled to spleen cells. Both male and female (NZB × NZW)F₁ mice appeared to behave like the NZW parental strain and were resistant to immunosuppression by nucleoside-modified spleen cells. The significance of this observation for the pathogenesis of murine systemic lupus erythematosus is discussed.     

Mercury-induced renal immune complex deposits in young (NZB × NZW)F1 mice: characterization of antibodies/autoantibodies

It is well demonstrated that mercury induces a systemic autoimmune disease in susceptible mouse strains. One of the major characteristics of mercury-induced autoimmune disease in mice is the development of renal immune complex deposits. We have previously shown that continual injection of mercury into young autoimmune prone (NZB × NZW)F₁ mice induced an increase in antibody/autoantibody production as well as development of early renal immune complex deposits. In the present study, we characterized the isotype, the specificity and the possible pathogenicity of deposited immunoglobulins in the kidneys of mercury-injected (NZB × NZW)F₁ hybrids. We found that young (NZB × NZW)F₁ mice injected with mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) for 6 weeks developed intense antibody formation of all immunoglobulin isotypes (except for IgG2b) as well as high levels of granular deposits of IgM, IgG1, IgG2a and IgG3 antibodies in the renal mesangium. Increased levels of the same antibody isotypes were also found in the kidney eluate of mercury- but not saline-injected mice. The dominant antibody in the kidney eluate of mercury-injected mice was of IgG1 isotype and found to be directed against double-stranded DNA, collagen, cardiolipin, phosphatidylethanolamine, and the hapten trinitrophenol, but not against nucleolar antigens. Further studies demonstrated that mercury-induced renal immune complex deposits in young (NZB × NZW)F₁ mice did not lead to a severe kidney injury. Thus, in response to mercury, young (NZB × NZW)F₁ mice develop renal immunoglobulin deposits with an isotype and specificity pattern correlating with that seen in the spleen and in the serum.     

Dysregulation of T Helper Cell Cytokines in Autoimmune Prone NZB x NZW Fl Mice

Multifactorial involvement in the pathogenesis of autoimmune NZB/W F1 mice has been well documented. To further elucidate the role of cytokines in the disease development of murine lupus, single spleen cells isolated from NZB/W Fl and non-autoimmune C57BL/6 mice were stimulated with T cell mitogens or anti-CD3 antibody at pre-determined optimal concentration. Supernatants were collected and assayed for production of cytokines including IL-2, γ-IFN, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10. In both young and old mice, cytokine profiles by mitogen-stimulated T cells showed higher TH₂ (type 2 T helper) cell-related cytokine production in NZB/W Fl mice compared to those in non-autoimmune C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, cytokines produced by TH₁ (type 1 T helper) cells, such as γ-IFN and IL-2, were lower in NZB/W F1 mice by stimulation with either mitogen or anti-CD3 antibody. In addition, cytokine production at different time points also demonstrated decreased γ-IFN and increased IL-4 levels by anti-CD3 stimulated splenic cells in autoimmune NZB/W F1 mice. Furthermore, the IL-10 levels produced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated splenic and peritoneal exudate cells were higher in young NZB/W Fl mice compared to those in C57BL/6 mice. Our data suggest that dysregulation between TH₁ and TH₂ cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity in NZB/W F1 mice.     

Activation of AMPK inhibits inflammation in MRL/lpr mouse mesangial cells

Recent reports show that 5‐amino‐4‐imidazole carboxamide riboside (AICAR), a pharmacological activator of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), inhibits the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced production of proinflammatory cytokines. MRL/MPJ‐Fas^lpr (MRL/lpr) mice show an intrinsic decreased threshold for the production of inflammatory mediators when stimulated. In our current studies, we sought to determine if AMPK activation would inhibit inflammatory mediator production in stimulated kidney mesangial cells. Cultured mesangial cells from MRL/lpr mice were treated with AICAR and stimulated with LPS/interferon (IFN)‐γ. AICAR decreased dose‐dependently inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase‐2 and interleukin‐6 production in LPS/IFN‐γ‐stimulated mesangial cells. Mechanistically, AICAR inhibited the LPS/IFN‐γ‐stimulated PI3K/Akt signalling inflammatory cascade but did not affect LPS/IFN‐γ‐mediated inhibitory kappa B phosphorylation or nuclear factor (NF)‐κB (p65) nuclear translocation. Treatment with the adenosine kinase inhibitor 5′‐iodotubercidin blocked the ability of AICAR to activate AMPK and prevented AICAR from inhibiting the LPS/IFN‐γ‐stimulated PI3K/Akt pathway and attenuating iNOS expression. Taken together, these observations suggest that AICAR inhibits LPS/IFN‐γ‐induced Akt phosphorylation through AMPK activation and may serve as a potential therapeutic target in inflammatory diseases.     

Spontaneous Autoimmune Disease in (NZB × NZW)F1 Mice is Ameliorated by Treatment with Methimazole

(NZB × NZW)F₁ mice spontaneously develop with age an autoimmune disease that resembles the human disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The present study demonstrates that methimazole (MMI), an agent used in the treatment of autoimmune thyroid disease, is effective in mitigating the development of this SLE-like autoimmune disease in (NZB × NZW)F₁ mice. MMI significantly reduces the incidence and severity of proteinuria and deposition of immune complexes in the kidney. Previous studies have demonstrated that development of an experimentally induced SLE, which was prevented by MMI treatment, depended on the expression of MHC class I molecules. We now report that class I levels on both T cells and B cells from old (NZB × NZW)F₁MHC class I are markedly elevated relative to those from young F₁ mice. Furthermore, treatment of (NZB × NZW)F₁ mice with MMI reduced MHC class I expression on their PBL concomitant with amelioration of disease, raising the possibility that class I molecules may play a role in the generation of spontaneous autoimmune disease in these mice.     

Age-decrease of cells sensitive to an autoantibody-specific for thymocytes and thymus-dependent lymphocytes in NZB mice

NZB mice naturally produce an autoantibody which in the presence of complement is specifically cytotoxic for thymocytes and thymus-dependent lymphocytes (T-cells) in the peripheral lymphoid tissues (lymph nodes and spleen) and the circulation of mice. Using a direct cytotoxicity test with a NZB mouse serum pool which contained the high titred autoantibody, a progressive decrease was observed with age in the proportion of the autoantibody-sensitive cells in mesenteric lymph node, spleen, and blood of NZB mice in comparison with mice of other strains (C57BL/6J and NZW). The numerical decrease in the population of autoantibody-sensitive cells was evident at younger age and greater degree in the peripheral blood than in the lymph node and spleen. The age-decrease in the number of autoantibody-sensitive cells in lymph node and spleen contrasted with the numerical increase in nucleated cells in these organs. The age-decrease in the proportion and number of the autoantibody-sensitive cells in the blood exceeded the decrease in the blood lymphocyte count. This finding indicated that T-cells in the blood are selectively depleted with the ageing of NZB mice. A similar observation was made on the blood lymphocytes of (NZB × NZW)F₁ hybrid mice. The depletion of T-cells in the blood in association with the production of natural thymocytotoxic autoantibody is termed autoimmune thymus-dependent lymphocytopenia.     

CD40-mediated stimulation of B1 and B2 cells: implication in autoantibody production in murine lupus

B1 cells usually show preferential responses to T cell-independent antigens. To ask whether B1 cells could respond to CD40-mediated stimulation for proliferation and differentiation, and whether CD40-mediated signals are involved in the production of autoantibodies by B1 cells, we compared responses to our newly established agonistic anti-mouse CD40 monoclonal antibody (mAb) between B1 and B2 cells from autoimmune-prone (NZB X NZW) F1 mice. Stimulation with this mAb induced a similar level of proliferative responses of both B1 and B2 cells, as well as an increase in expression of cell surface molecules I-A, CD54, CD23, CD80, and CD86. While co-stimulation with interleukin (IL)-4 markedly augmented proliferative as well as IgG1 and IgE antibody responses of both B1 and B2 cells, co-stimulation with IL-5 augmented proliferative and IgM antibody responses of only B1 cells. Splenic B1, but not B2 cells from young (NZB X NZW) F1 mice spontaneously produced substantial amounts of IgM including IgM anti-DNA antibodies, and the levels increased in case of stimulation with anti-CD40 mAb alone, or to a greater extent with the mAb plus IL-4 and IL-5. Collectively, these results indicate that splenic B1 cells from autoimmune (NZB X NZW) F1 mice have a comparable responsiveness to the CD40-mediated stimulation to that of B2 cells, which would be a potent regulatory mechanism involved in the spontaneous production of autoantibodies by B1 cells.     

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate （EGCG） attenuates nflammation in MRL/Ipr mouse mesangial cells

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a bioactive component of green tea, has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects on immune cells. EGCG is also shown to activate the metabolic regulator, adenosine 5''-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Reports have also indicated that EGCG inhibits the immune-stimulated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway has been implicated in mesangial cell activation in lupus. Mesangial cells from MRL/lpr lupus-like mice are hyper-responsive to immune stimulation and overproduce nitric oxide (NO) and other inflammatory mediators when stimulated. In our current studies, we sought to determine the mechanism by which EGCG attenuates immune-induced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. Cultured mesangial cells from MRL/lpr mice were pre-treated with various concentrations of EGCG and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon (IFN)-γ. EGCG activated AMPK and blocked LPS/IFN-γ-induced inflammatory mediator production (iNOS expression, supernatant NO and interleukin-6). Interestingly, EGCG attenuated inflammation during AMPK inhibition indicating that the anti-inflammatory effect of EGCG may be partially independent of AMPK activation. Furthermore, we found that EGCG effectively inhibited the immune-stimulated PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway independently of AMPK, by decreasing phosphorylation of Akt, suggesting an alternate mechanism for EGCG-mediated anti-inflammatory action in mesangial cells. Taken together, these studies show that EGCG attenuated inflammation in MRL/lpr mouse mesangial cells via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Our findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for the use of EGCG to regulate inflammation and control autoimmune disease.     

Defects in the regulation of anti-DNA antibody production in aged lupus-prone (NZB x NZW)F1 mice: analysis of T-cell lymphokine synthesis.

(NZB x NZW)F1 (B/W) mice spontaneously develop a lupus-like syndrome characterized by an increased level of autoantibodies in old mice. We analysed the role of T cells in the regulation of anti-DNA antibody production by B cells in vitro as a function of age. In cultures of old mouse T and B cells, IgG and IgM anti-DNA antibodies were synthesized at high levels, in contrast to consistently lower amounts, particularly of IgG, measured in cultures of young mouse cells. Addition of young mouse T cells to old B cells inhibited IgG, but not IgM, anti-DNA production, whereas T cells from old mice stimulated IgG synthesis by young mouse B cells. Addition of supernatants harvested from concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated T cells to B-cell cultures induced similar effects. Therefore, we evaluated possible modifications of lymphokine synthesis compared to that of the healthy NZW parent. T cells from old mice were able to secrete normal levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin (IL)-10; however, secretion of IL-2 and IL-4 was dramatically decreased. Semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of constitutive RNA messengers showed increased IFN-gamma levels in young and old B/W mice, and normal IL-10 mRNA levels in young and higher levels in old mice. Constitutive IL-2 and IL-4 mRNA were detected only after Con A stimulation and their levels decreased in old compared to young B/W mice; in particular IL-2 mRNA was considerably lower in old B/W than in control NZW mice. Taken together, these results suggest that, despite constitutive T-cell abnormalities, young B/W mice are able partially to control their lymphokine production, whereas aged mice exhibit a deficient synthesis, associated with an increased capacity to produce IFN-gamma.