Alleviation of autoimmunity in BXSB mice by monoclonal alloantibody to Ly-5 (CD45).

One of the hallmarks of immunological abnormalities in mice that are prone to syndromes resembling systemic lupus erythematosus is polyclonal activation of B cells and a switch of serum immunoglobulins or autoantibodies from IgM to IgG that coincides with onset of autoimmune disease. Therefore, we investigated whether the development of autoimmunity can be alleviated in such mice by administration of monoclonal alloantibody directed against Ly-5, because this was known to reduce levels of polyclonal IgG antibody without affecting other immunoglobulin isotypes. Our results indicate that at least some forms of autoimmune disease may be effectively treated by thus reducing the concentration of IgG autoantibody in this manner.