Dissecting genetic control of autoimmunity in NOD congenic mice

My lab investigates genetic control of autoimmune disease and autoimmune phenotypes using a series of nonobese diabetic (NOD) congenic mice. NOD congenic mice have regions from B6/B10 introgressed onto the NOD genetic background, which reduces the severity/incidence of autoimmune diabetes. We have demonstrated, however, that while diabetes is reduced, other autoimmune phenotypes and diseases arise in NOD congenic mice. Mapping the genomic regions responsible for these phenotypes has produced novel insights into genetic control of autoimmunity. This review will illustrate some of the genetically controlled phenotypes we have investigated, which shed light upon autoimmune features relevant to human type 1 diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, and primary biliary cirrhosis.