Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026

The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: November 1, 2015
Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-M suppresses systemic lupus erythematosus
Maciej Lech1, Claudia Kantner, Onkar P Kulkarni
1Medizinische Poliklinik, Campus Innenstadt, Klinikum der Universität München - LMU, Germany.
Objectives:
Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)-M suppresses Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated activation of innate immunity during infection. A similar role was hypothesised for IRAK-M in autoimmunity.
Methods:
Irak-m-deficient mice were crossed with autoimmune C57BL/6-lpr/lpr mice and detailed phenotype analysis was performed.
Results:
Irak-m deficiency converted the mild autoimmune phenotype of C57BL/6-lpr/lpr mice into a massive lymphoproliferative syndrome with lethal autoimmune lung disease and lupus nephritis. Irak-m deficiency induced a number of interferon-related genes, cytokines and plasma cell survival factors in spleen cells of these mice. Irak-m-deficient C57BL/6-lpr/lpr mice showed expansion of autoreactive T cells, dysfunctional regulatory T cells and plasma cells which was associated with increased lupus autoantibody production. TLR7 antagonism almost completely abrogated this phenotype consistent with IRAK-M-mediated suppression of TLR7 signalling in vitro.
Conclusions:
These data identify a previously unknown function of IRAK-M-namely, suppression of TLR7-mediated autoimmunity-and mutant IRAK-M as a previously unknown genetic risk for murine SLE.
Related Concept Videos
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
MAPK Signaling Cascades