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The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: November 1, 2015
Type C RNA virus expression in systemic lupus erythematosus. New Zealand mouse model and human disease
Abstract:
An antigen recognized by antisera produced against p30 (core) proteins of the four chief groups of mammalian type C viruses (murine, feline, RD-114 related to endogenous primate, and infectious primate group) is located in an immune-complex pattern in some renal glomeruli of human SLE patients with lupus proliferative glomerulonephritis but is not detected in normal or pathological control human kidneys. This antigen cross-reacts with p30 interspecies determinants shared by the four chief virus groups and cross-reacts with a partially purified antigen extracted from human SLE spleen. The human SLE spleen antigen cross-reacts with p30 group antigen of RD-114 virus but not of feline or murine viruses. Some host immunoglobulins eluted from a human SLE kidney by acid-buffer show antibody-like activity against p30 group antigen of RD-114 virus but not of simian, feline, or murine viruses.
Insights
A viral antigen (p30 core protein) is found in lupus nephritis kidneys, suggesting a potential link between type C viruses and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in humans.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Mammalian type C viruses share common p30 core proteins.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can manifest as lupus proliferative glomerulonephritis.
- The potential role of viral antigens in human autoimmune diseases is an area of ongoing research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of a specific viral antigen in human lupus nephritis kidneys.
- To determine if this antigen cross-reacts with known viral and human autoimmune disease antigens.
- To explore potential antibody activity against this antigen in SLE patients.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of human kidney biopsies.
- Antigen-antibody cross-reactivity assays using antisera against type C viral p30 proteins.
- Analysis of immunoglobulins eluted from SLE kidneys.
Main Results:
- A p30 antigen was detected in immune complexes within renal glomeruli of SLE patients with lupus proliferative glomerulonephritis.
- This antigen exhibited cross-reactivity with interspecies determinants of mammalian type C viruses and with an antigen from human SLE spleen.
- Eluted immunoglobulins from SLE kidneys showed antibody-like activity against the RD-114 virus p30 antigen.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies a specific viral antigen (p30) in the kidneys of SLE patients with lupus nephritis.
- Findings suggest a potential etiological or contributory role for mammalian type C viruses in human SLE.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanism and significance of this viral antigen in SLE pathogenesis.
