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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
09:43

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice

Published on: June 8, 2022

Absence of functional alternative complement pathway alleviates lupus cerebritis

Jessy J Alexander1, Alexander Jacob, Paul Vezina

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. jalexand@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu

European Journal of Immunology
|May 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The alternative complement pathway contributes to lupus cerebritis. Blocking this pathway with complement factor B deficiency reduced neuroinflammation and improved behavioral outcomes in lupus model mice.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • The complement system, particularly the alternative pathway, plays a role in CNS diseases like lupus cerebritis.
  • Understanding the specific contribution of the alternative pathway is crucial for targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the alternative complement pathway in lupus cerebritis using mice deficient in complement factor B (fB).

Main Methods:

  • Studied MRL/lpr mice with and without complement factor B (fB-/-MRL/lpr vs. MRL/lpr).
  • Assessed immune deposits, neutrophil infiltration, apoptosis, protein expression (p-Akt, p-PTEN), extracellular matrix components, and behavioral alterations.

Main Results:

  • fB deficiency reduced immune deposits, neutrophil infiltration, and apoptosis in the brain.
  • Absence of fB increased p-Akt and decreased p-PTEN expression, suggesting neuroprotection.
  • Tissue integrity was maintained, and behavioral deficits were reduced in fB-deficient mice.

Conclusions:

  • The alternative complement pathway is a key driver of CNS inflammation in lupus.
  • Targeting the alternative pathway, specifically complement factor B, may be a promising therapeutic strategy for lupus cerebritis.

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