Metabolism of exogenous single stranded DNA in normal and NZB/W mice.

Metabolism of ss-DNA in Swiss Webster mice and NZB/W mice was studied. The delay in intra-hepatic catabolism of ssDNA in old NZB/W female mice seems to correlate with the presence of increased anti-DNA antibodies; similar to effects produced in Swiss Webster mice that have been pretreated with a small dose of carbon black. Neither impairment in the phagocytic ability nor a decrease in DNase activity are found in the mice who are relatively unable to metabolize ssDNA. These observations are discussed in relation to possible pathogenesis in NZB/W mice.