Induction of experimental systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)

A model in which experimental SLE is induced in normal mice by the injection of a human anti-DNA MoAb expressing a common idiotype 16/6 Id has been established in our laboratory. In the present study we have attempted the induction of experimental SLE in mice with SCID by the transfer of lymphocytes obtained from mice with experimental SLE. Disease could not be induced by direct immunization of SCID mice with the 16/6 Id nor by transfusion of normal splenocytes and immunization with the 16/6 Id thereafter. In contrast, disease was induced in SCID mice which were transplanted with splenic lymphocytes obtained from SLE afflicted BALB/c mice. The disease was expressed by the presence of high titres of antibodies and glomerular immune complex deposits were present in the kidney sections of these mice. Mice that received spleen cells from donors with experimental SLE together with the 16/6 Id developed higher titres of autoantibodies and had, in addition to the immune complex deposits, glomerular histological pathology. The model of experimental SLE induction in SCID mice should help in the elucidation of the role of different cell types in the pathogenesis of SLE.