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Effects of Immunosuppression on the Development of Cochlear Disease in the MRL‐Fas lpr Mouse
Author(s) -
Ruckenstein Michael J.,
Sarwar Armughan,
Hu Lydia,
Shami Halla,
Marion T. N.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199904000-00020
Subject(s) - medicine , disease , immune system , antibody , immunology , autoantibody , autoimmune disease , physiology , pathology
Objectives: The MRL‐Fas lpr mouse, an animal that spontaneously develops multisystemic autoimmune disease, has been proposed as model of immune‐mediated inner ear disease. Previous studies revealed that this mouse manifested elevated auditory brainstem response thresholds, hydropic degeneration of strial cells, and antibody deposition within strial capillaries. As the etiology of the observed strial disease may be immune, genetic, or uremic, a study was designed to attempt to delineate between these possible etiologic factors. Study Design: Prospective, controlled animal study. Methods: Dexamethasone, which is known to suppress autoantibody production and glomerulonephritis in these animals, was administered systemically on a daily basis to experimental animals, beginning at 6 weeks of age. Control animals received no treatment. Animals were allowed to age, with control animals predictably manifesting systemic disease at 20 weeks of age, at which point all animals were sacrificed. Results: Animals receiving dexamethasone treatment manifested a significant reduction in serum immunoglobulin levels, lymphoid hyperplasia, and a significant improvement in the level of renal function. However, morphologic analysis revealed a persistence of strial disease despite the elimination of strial antibody deposition. Conclusion: The results of this experiment support the hypothesis that genetic mechanisms may be responsible for the observed strial disease. Further studies are under way to confirm these findings.