The interleukin (IL)-12 family cytokines have been examined as therapeutic targets in the treatment of several autoimmune diseases. Our previous study showed that a novel IL-12 family cytokine, IL-39 (IL-23p19/Ebi3) mediates inflammation in lupus-like mice. In the present study, the effect of anti-mouse IL-39 polyclonal antibodies on autoimmune symptoms in lupus-like mice was investigated. Rabbit anti-mouse IL-39 polyclonal antibodies were produced by immunization with recombinant mouse IL-39, and purified using protein A chromatography. These antibodies were subsequently used to treat lupus-like mice. Flow cytometry, captured images, ELISA and H&E staining were used to determine the effect of anti-IL-39 polyclonal antibodies on inflammatory cells, autoantibody titers, proteinuria, infiltrating inflammatory cells and the structure of the glomerular region. The anti-IL-39 polyclonal antibodies effectively reduced the numbers of inflammatory cells, splenomegaly, autoantibody titers, proteinuria, infiltrating inflammatory cells, and restored the structure of the glomerular region in MRL/lpr mice. Taken together, these results suggested that anti-IL-39 polyclonal antibodies ameliorated autoimmune symptoms in lupus-like mice. Therefore, IL-39 may be used as a possible target for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.
[1]Inst Basic Med Sci, Immunol Lab, 27 Taiping Rd, Beijing 100850, Peoples R China.
[2]Henan Univ, Coll Pharm, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, Peoples R China.
[3]Jilin Univ, Inst Frontier Med Sci, Sch Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Biomed, Changchun 130021, Jilin, Peoples R China.
[4]Chinese Peoples Liberat Army, Hosp 307, Dept Nephrol, Beijing 100850, Peoples R China.
[5]Henan Univ, Lab Cellular & Mol Immunol, Kaifeng 475001, Henan, Peoples R China.
[6]Jilin Univ, Hosp 1, Dept Rheumatol, 71 Xinming St, Changchun 130021, Jilin, Peoples R China.
(8.0+极速模式)