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Diet-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in primates
Summary
Alfalfa seed (AS) in the diet of cynomolgus macaques induced a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like illness. This included anemia, positive antinuclear antibody tests, and immune complex deposition, suggesting dietary components can trigger autoimmune disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Toxicology
- Primate Models
Background:
- Dietary components can influence immune system function.
- Autoimmune diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) have complex etiologies.
- Non-human primate models are crucial for studying human diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of alfalfa seed (AS) to induce autoimmune disease in non-human primates.
- To characterize the immunological and clinical manifestations of AS-induced illness.
- To evaluate the role of diet in the pathogenesis of SLE-like conditions.
Main Methods:
- Ten adult female cynomolgus macaques were divided into two groups: semipurified diet (SPD) and SPD with 45% AS.
- Animals were monitored monthly for 5 months.
- Hematocrit, antiglobulin (AG), antinuclear antibody (ANA), LE cell tests, complement levels (C3, C4), and anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) antibody binding were assessed.
Main Results:
- Three of five macaques fed AS developed an SLE-like illness.
- Clinical signs included AG-positive anemia, positive ANA (rim pattern), and elevated anti-dsDNA binding.
- One AS-fed animal exhibited immunoglobulin and complement deposition at the dermal-epidermal junction and immune complex-induced glomerulonephritis.
Conclusions:
- Dietary intake of alfalfa seed can induce a lupus-like autoimmune disease in cynomolgus macaques.
- Alfalfa seed components may act as triggers for autoimmune responses.
- This study highlights the importance of dietary factors in the development of autoimmune conditions.