B Cell Depletion with Anti-CD79 mAbs Ameliorates Autoimmune Disease in MRL/lpr Mice

MRL/lpr mice develop a spontaneous systemic lupus erythematosus-like autoimmune syndrome due to a dysfunctional Fas receptor, with contributions from other less well-defined genetic loci. The removal of B cells by genetic manipulation not only prevents autoantibody formation, but it also results in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of immunology (1950) 2008-09, Vol.181 (5), p.2961-2972
Main Authors: Li, Yongmei, Chen, Fangqi, Putt, Mary, Koo, Yumee K, Madaio, Michael, Cambier, John C, Cohen, Philip L, Eisenberg, Robert A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antibodies, Monoclonal - therapeutic use
Autoimmune Diseases - therapy
B-Lymphocytes
CD79 Antigens - immunology
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - therapy
Lymphocyte Count
Lymphocyte Depletion - methods
Mice
Mice, Inbred MRL lpr
Survival Rate
T-Lymphocyte Subsets
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:MRL/lpr mice develop a spontaneous systemic lupus erythematosus-like autoimmune syndrome due to a dysfunctional Fas receptor, with contributions from other less well-defined genetic loci. The removal of B cells by genetic manipulation not only prevents autoantibody formation, but it also results in substantially reduced T cell activation and kidney inflammation. To determine whether B cell depletion by administration of Abs is effective in lupus mice with an intact immune system and established disease, we screened several B cell-specific mAbs and found that a combination of anti-CD79alpha and anti-CD79beta Abs was most effective at depleting B cells in vivo. Anti-CD79 therapy started at 4-5 mo of age in MRL/lpr mice significantly decreased B cells (B220(+)CD19(+)) in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and spleens. Treated mice also had a significant increase in the number of both double-negative T cells and naive CD4(+) T cells, and a decreased relative abundance of CD4(+) memory cells. Serum anti-chromatin IgG levels were significantly decreased compared with controls, whereas serum anti-dsDNA IgG, total IgG, or total IgM were unaffected. Overall, survival was improved with lower mean skin scores and significantly fewer focal inflammatory infiltrates in submandibular salivary glands and kidneys. Anti-CD79 mAbs show promise as a potential treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus and as a model for B cell depletion in vivo.
ISSN:0022-1767
1550-6606
DOI:10.4049/jimmunol.181.5.2961