Antifibrogenic effects of antiserum against the macrophage RNase.

Antiserum against the fibrogenesis controlling macrophage RNase was produced in rabbits. It caused an inhibition of 57% in the RNase activity in vitro. A distinct dose-response relationship was observed in the inhibiting effect of the antiserum on RNase-induced 3H-thymidine incorporation into cultured granulation-tissue fibroblasts. The antifibrogenic properties of the antiserum were also tested in vivo. Rat lungs were made silicotic by intratracheal administration of SiO2. This treatment clearly increased the following parameters: wet weight, DNA, RNA, nitrogen and hydroxyproline content of the lung tissue, and protein concentration, RNase activity, and cell count of the lung lavage fluid. Also, the RNase activity of the lavage fluid cells was increased. Periodical intratracheal administration of the anti-RNase antiserum, optimally at 1:1,000 dilution, decreased the DNA, RNA, and hydroxyproline content of the lung tissue, each by about 30%. The RNase activity of lavage fluid cells was decreased by about 60%. In conclusion the antiserum had no effect on the normal lungs, but it significantly suppressed the development of silicosis.