The natural history of autoimmune disorders in mice and its modification by therapy

Abstract

The main aim of this thesis is to study from a clinicopathological aspect the pattern of development and the nature of lesions, particularly renal ones, in NZB/BL X NZW hybrid mice. Groups of these mice were assessed clinically, weighed regularly and had frequent examinations of urine during life for protein, casts and sugar. Blood examinations for the L.E. cell test, anaemia, total leucocyte counts, as well as direct Coombs tests and some Latex antinucleoprotein tests were performed and some studies made on blood urea levels.

Full postmortem examinations were made with histological examinations, especially of kidneys and thymus, but also of liver, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, pituitary, adrenal, thyroid and salivary glands, the postmortems being carried out at intervals to cover the life span of the crossbreed. The post-mortem renal findings were correlated with the features observed during life. Similar observations were made on smaller numbers of the parent NZB/BL and NZW inbred strains.

At attempt was made to modify with corticosteroid therapy the disease seen in the hybrid mice. This was done in both sexes, in different age groups and at different dosage levels. The same parameters were measured as in the control untreated animals mentioned above.

Corticosteroid therapy was also used to treat the NZB/BL mice with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Treatment of this strain with the antimetabolite drug 6-Mercaptopurine was also undertaken. [extract from Introduction]