Elimination of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cell accelerates the development of glomerulonephritis during the preactive phase in autoimmune-prone female NZB x NZW F mice.

The role of CD4(+)CD25+ T cell in glomerulonephritis (GN) development during the preactive phase was investigated in autoimmune-prone female NZB x NZW F1 (B/WF1) mice. The administration of anti-mouse CD25+ T-cell monoclonal antibody (PC61.5) 3 days after birth induced the development of GN with an increase in IgG2a antinuclear antibody, productions of IL-6 and IFN-gamma, whereas TGF-beta1 production decreased, compared to untreated control mice. The present study results suggest that CD4(+)CD25+ T cells may, at least in part, downregulate the development of GN during the preactive phase in B/WF1 mice.