A MOUSE MODEL FOR AUTOIMMUNE LUPUS GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Brief Descripton

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease which affects many organs and has a wide range of clinical manifestations. The disease is characterized by joint pain, rashes, and fevers, as well as inflammation of organs including the heart, lungs and kidneys. The cause of lupus has been difficult to identify, as almost every pathway of the immune system is abnormal in effected individuals. The production of auto-antibodies is thought to be largely responsible for the observed pathology; however, there is recent evidence that T lymphocytes promote and mediate the progression of the disease.

Features/Benefits

• Develop autoimmune glomerulonephritis with symptoms similar to those observed in human lupus.Develop symptoms faster (within 2-3 months of birth) than current murine lupus models, such as NZB/NZW mice, and on a simpler genetic background.
• May be useful as a model for other types of autoimmunity when bred onto different genetic backgrounds or stimulated with tissue-specific antigens.

Other Information

• Majeti R, et al. An inactivating point mutation in the inhibitory wedge of CD45 causes lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity. Cell, 2000; 103(7):1059-1070.