Successful treatment of autoimmunity in (NZB X NZW)F1 mice with cyclosporin and (Nva2)-cyclosporin: I. Reduction of autoantibodies.

Autoimmune (NZB X NZW)F1 mice were treated with the immunosuppressive agent, cyclosporin, and its new derivative (Nva2)-cyclosporin. Both compounds prevented the development of autoantibodies in young mice, and also reduced the levels of the autoantibodies in old mice. These findings established that autoantibodies, at least in the (NZB X NZW)F1 mice, can be controlled pharmacologically. This study supports the possibility that treatment with cyclosporin and (Nva2)-cyclosporin might be effective in the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases in man.