The lpr gene induces marked lymphoproliferation characterized by the massive accumulation of T cells of an unusual phenotype and concomitant autoimmune disease. To clarify the mechanism of the lpr effect, bone marrow cells from B6-lpr/lpr (Ly-1.2) and B6-+/+ (Ly-1.1) mice were transferred into lethally irradiated B6-lpr/lpr mice. As has been previously reported, recipients of the B6-lpr/lpr bone marrow showed the typical lpr phenotype with marked lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly and increased levels of autoantibodies; while the recipients of B6-+/+ bone marrow had normal sized lymph nodes and spleen and no autoantibodies. A third group of mice received an equal mixture of bone marrow cells from the B6-lpr/lpr and B6-+/+ donors. These mice showed both lymphadenopathy and autoantibody production comparable to that of recipients of the B6-lpr/lpr marrow alone. Immunofluorocytometric analysis of the lymphoid populations in these mixed bone marrow recipients established that the T cells from the lpr/lpr and +/+ donors were equivalently represented in the peripheral blood and thymus. In striking contrast, the T cells that accumulated in abnormally large numbers in the lymph nodes were almost entirely from the lpr donor. Their surface phenotype was Thy-1+(dull), Ly-1.2+(dull), Lyt-2-, L3T4-, 9F3+, and 3A1+, which is consistent with that found in intact lpr mice. These results indicate that the lpr gene causes an intrinsic defect directly within the T cells that accumulate in large numbers in lpr mice. In addition, the presence of the +/+ T cells cannot prevent the expression of the lpr abnormalities.
Article|
March 01 1988
The lpr gene causes an intrinsic T cell abnormality that is required for hyperproliferation.
T Katagiri,
T Katagiri
Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599.
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P L Cohen,
P L Cohen
Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599.
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R A Eisenberg
R A Eisenberg
Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599.
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T Katagiri
Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599.
P L Cohen
Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599.
R A Eisenberg
Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599.
Online ISSN: 1540-9538
Print ISSN: 0022-1007
J Exp Med (1988) 167 (3): 741–751.
Citation
T Katagiri, P L Cohen, R A Eisenberg; The lpr gene causes an intrinsic T cell abnormality that is required for hyperproliferation.. J Exp Med 1 March 1988; 167 (3): 741–751. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.167.3.741
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