Effect of concanavalin A on immunologic abnormalities of New Zealand (NZB/W) mice

Abstract

The administration of Concanavalin A (Con A) to young New Zealand (NZB/W) mice has been previously found to render them tolerable to BGG. The corresponding mechanism is unknown but is consistent with other observations that Con A is capable of activating a suppressor T cell population. We have further explored this possibility by giving New Zealand mice Con A from 1 month until 11 months of age and monitoring several known immunologic abnormalities. Con-A-treated mice, in contrast to littermate controls, were found to have lower anti-DNA levels, less proteinuria, a better response to primary sheep red cell immunization and normally rejected skin allografts.