IMMUNOREGULATION OF SLE-LIKE DISEASE BY THE IL-1 RECEPTOR - DISEASE-MODIFYING ACTIVITY ON BDF1 HYBRID MICE AND MRL AUTOIMMUNE MICE

Due to the immunopharmacological profile of the recombinant IL-1 recep tor (IL-1-R) and its potential to modulate biological activity in vari ous inflammatory autoimmune disease models, we further elucidated its disease modifying activity on the development of a systemic lupus eryt hematosus (SLE)-like disease in BDF1 hybrid mice and in MRL/1pr autoim mune mice. Treatment of BDF1 mice with the IL-1-R during the induction phase resulted in a strong inhibition of the development of a glomeru lonephritis, prolonged the survival time and improved the survival rat e. Even a therapeutic effect was demonstrated when this receptor was g iven after the appearance of clinical symptoms. Treating MRL/1pr mice, which develop spontaneously a SLE-like disease, with the IL-1-R resul ted in an inhibition of the developing glomerulonephritis and splenome galy, in a reduction of swollen lymph nodes and in a decrease of autoa ntibody formation. Even in the established autoimmune disease of MRL/1 pr mice the IL-1-R reduced proteinuria, the levels of autoantibodies a nd also improved the survival rate.