Acceleration of lupus erythematosus-like processes by low frequency noise in the hybrid NZB/W mouse model

Abstract

Introduction: We investigated the effect of low frequency noise on the natural history of autoimmune diseases using hybrid New Zealand Black (NZB) and White (NZW) male mice that are prone to spontaneously develop systemic lupus erythematosus after 6 mo of age.

Methods: We exposed 3-mo-old mice to periods of low frequency noise (> or = 90 dB SPL, < or = 500 Hz) for a total of 216 h; the animals were studied up to 12 mo of age and data were compared with results obtained with age-matched controls.

Results: We found that noise exposure caused an earlier expression of proteinuria, a change that was associated with acceleration of kidney lesions and increased mortality. At 8 mo of age, after 3 mo of chronic exposure to noise, the exposed mice presented significantly higher numbers of splenic IgM+ lymphocytes and CD8+ T cells than the age-matched controls.

Conclusion: Exposure of lupus-prone mice to low frequency noise accelerates the expression of the autoimmune disease and it affects the immune system by raising the number of splenic IgM+ B lymphocytes and CD8+ T cells.