thymic-factor--circulating and Glomerulonephritis

Changes in primordial lymphoid organs (bone marrow and thymus) with respect to the content of a serum thymic factor in the blood and specific activity of end desoxynucleotidyltransferase in the bone marrow and peripheral blood were studied in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis with and without the nephrotic syndrome. The mechanisms of autoimmunization were also studied with respect to the presence of renal tissue autoantigen antibodies. Alteration of primordial lymphoid organs was not attended by the autoimmune changes, i.e. production of the renal autoantigen antibodies was not increased. This makes difficult interpretation of the nephrotic syndrome as an autoimmune process and of glomerulonephritis as a whole. Lymphocytes bearing end desoxynucleotidyltransferase more probably participate in the developmental mechanisms of chronic glomerulonephritis.

Topics: Bone Marrow; Cell Differentiation; Chronic Disease; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase; Female; Glomerulonephritis; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Humans; Lymphocytes; Male; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Gland

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Adolescent; Adult; Antibody Formation; Chronic Disease; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Glomerulonephritis; Hemostasis; Humans; Hypertension; Immunity, Cellular; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Male; Middle Aged; Nephrotic Syndrome; Thymus Hormones

In this study we have evaluated the action of two compounds, cyclosporin A (Cy A) and thymulin (FTS-Zn) in old (NZB X NZW) F1 male mice which develop severe autoimmune disease. Compared with control mice, thymulin and Cy A treated mice already showed by 2 weeks a dramatic diminution of their anti-DNA antibody level which remained low throughout the treatment period and persisted for 7 weeks afterwards. Renal specimens were studied by direct immunofluorescence in Cy A and thymulin treated mice. Glomerular deposits were decreased compared with control mice; these differences were particularly clearcut for IgG1 and IgG2 deposits. Finally, thymulin (FTS-Zn) and Cy A appeared to induce the same improvement of DNA titres and glomerulopathy in (NZB X BW) F1 mice.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Antinuclear; Autoimmune Diseases; Cyclosporins; DNA; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Glomerulonephritis; Immunoglobulin G; Kidney Glomerulus; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred NZB; Proteinuria; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Hormones

The effects of thymus factor (TFX) and levamisole on the clinical picture and some indices of cellular immunity have been evaluated in 10 patients with nephrotic syndrome due to membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis Type I. The patients revealed decreased T-lymphocyte number and impaired responsiveness to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation before treatment. An association between the slight diminution of proteinuria and the increase of E-rosette forming lymphocytes, increased responsiveness to PHA and return to normal of previously elevated B-cell percentages, was observed in four patients treated with TFX and one patients treated with levamisole.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; B-Lymphocytes; Female; Glomerulonephritis; Humans; Levamisole; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Middle Aged; Nephrotic Syndrome; Phytohemagglutinins; Rosette Formation; Stimulation, Chemical; T-Lymphocytes; Thymic Factor, Circulating; Thymus Hormones