Fcγ-receptors in systemic autoimmune conditions : lessons from murine mercury-induced autoimmunity

摘要: Xenobiotic agents such as metals, drugs, toxic oils and pristane can induce autoimmune diseases. Heavy metal induction of autoimmunity has been observed for mercury (Hg), silver gold in mice. Mercury-induced (HgIA) mice is characterised by lymphoproliferation, hypergammaglobulinemia, antinucleolar autoantibodies (ANoA) immune complex deposits the renal glomerular mesangium systemically vessel walls. HgIA T-cell dependent, IFNγ necessary all manifestations HgIA, activating Fc!RIII enhance development ANoA. This study focused firstly on exploring cytokine profile genetically susceptible DBA/1 (H-2q) wild type (wt) FcγRIII-/- treated with 15 mg/l Hg, secondly hypothesis that IFN-! producing NK cells are vital ANoA model. wt showed a significantly more marked Th1 compared to following Hg treatment, whereas total Th2 Th17 increased both However, during treatment IL-21 mRNA expression was reduced we were unable show due IFN-γsecretion from cells. Our findings suggest delayed attenuated profile. In addition might be responsible lack serum IgG1 response these