Soluble CD16 in the treatment of murine lupus nephritis.

To determine if soluble CD16 (sCD16) could alter the expression of lupus-like disease, groups of 10 female NZB/NZW mice (age 16-20 weeks) were given sCD16 three times a week for 5 weeks (control; 100 microg; 200 microg/dose) after onset of proteinuria. Results of this study indicate that the administration of sCD16 after onset of disease lowered anti-DNA levels, delayed the development of proteinuria, and significantly prolonged survival while the mice were on treatment. These results indicate that sCD16 alters the expression of autoantibodies and the progression of renal disease in NZB/NZW mice, suggesting that therapies directed at Fc receptors may be useful in the treatment of SLE.