Sex differences in the regulation of experimentally induced autoantibodies in (NZB x NZW)F1 mice

Immunology. 1980 Dec;41(4):819-23.

Abstract

The ability to induce autoantibodies to erythrocytes in male and female (NZB x NZW)F1 mice was examined. Female (NZB x NZW)F1 mice were shown to produce significantly more autoantibody than the male (NZB x NZW)F1 mice. The regulation of this experimentaly induced autoantibody was studied by examining the ability of male and female (NZB x NZW)F1 mice to generate antigen-specific suppressor cells. A sex difference was found in the ability to generate these suppressor cells. Male mice generated antigen-specific suppressor cells in response to rat RBC which were capable to suppressing the experimental induction of red cell autoantibodies whereas female mice were unable to generate those antigen-specific suppressor cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agglutinins / analysis
  • Animals
  • Autoantibodies / biosynthesis*
  • Coombs Test
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NZB
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Spleen / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology

Substances

  • Agglutinins
  • Autoantibodies