Observation on serum anti-double stranded DNA antibodies of tripterine in systemic lupus erythematosus of (NZBxW)F1 mice

Tripterine is one of the major active components isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. Previous studies have shown that tripterine inhibits not only humoral and cellular immune responses but also the inflammatory response.1 This study aimed at exploring the inhibitory effects of tripterine on lupus nephritis. We studied the effect of tripterine in (NZB×W)F1 mice, who spontaneously develop autoimmune disease characterised by the production of dsDNA antibodies and the development of a severe immune complex glomerulonephritis, like in human lupus nephritis.2,3 The dsDNA antibodies are thought to have a role in the pathogenesis of mouse lupus-like nephritis.4 Raised levels of circulating anti-dsDNA antibodies often precede the development of nephritis.5,6 …