Analysis of lymphocyte proteins from New Zealand black mice by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Splenic lymphocyte proteins from New Zealand Black (NZB) mice, which spontaneously develop autoimmune disease, and several control strains were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A number of strain- and age-related differences were observed, among which was the persistently elevated synthesis of two peptides, 12.5 KD and 10.5 KD, by spleen cells from older NZB mice. Although synthesis of these peptides was moderately high in young NZB and control mice, it diminished with age in control mice. These proteins were found in the cytoplasm and were not expressed on the plasma membrane nor secreted into the medium. Production of these proteins was restricted to B and null cells; T cells did not synthesize these peptides. These proteins appear to be indicators of disease activity, because their increased synthesis was associated with lymphocyte subset alterations associated with the onset of overt autoimmune disease in NZB mice.