Effects of L-canavanine on immune function in normal and autoimmune mice: disordered B-cell function by a dietary amino acid in the immunoregulation of autoimmune disease

Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1985 Jul;63(7):843-54. doi: 10.1139/y85-139.

Abstract

This study reports the effects in vitro and in vivo of L-canavanine (LCN), an amino acid found in commonly consumed legumes, on immune function in normal and autoimmune mice. L-Canavanine in high doses effectively blocks all DNA synthesis in vitro within 24 h. At lower doses, LCN affects B-cell function of autoimmune New Zealand Black/New Zealand White (NZB/NZW)F1 mice, inhibiting [3H]thymidine incorporation in response to B-cell mitogens, and pokeweed-induced intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin synthesis. LCN stimulates intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin (IgG greater than IgM). T-cell functions such as lymphoproliferation in response to concanavalin A or phytohemagglutinin and T-cell cytotoxicity are not affected. Suppression of the lipopolysaccharide response by LCN is removed by the addition of fresh B cells. Addition of the amino acid to mouse diet resulted in a decrease in the life-span of the autoimmune NZB and (NZB X NZW)F1 mice and abolished the protective effect of male sex on their survival. The decrease in survival in LCN-treated autoimmune mice correlated with an increase in spontaneous immunoglobulin-secreting cells (IgG greater than IgM) and antinuclear and double-stranded DNA antibodies. The histopathological analyses revealed increased glomerular damage and immunoglobulin deposition in the kidneys of the LCN-treated autoimmune and normal (DBA/2) mice. Ten percent of normal mice developed high titers of autoantibodies after 24 weeks of the diet. These data suggest a dietary amino acid, L-canavanine, affects B-cell function resulting in autoimmune phenomena and providing a new animal model of autoimmunity, a diet-induced systemic lupus erythematosus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Canavanine / pharmacology*
  • Cell Nucleus / immunology
  • Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
  • DNA / immunology
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulins / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Mitogens / pharmacology
  • Rats

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins
  • Mitogens
  • Canavanine
  • DNA