Apoptotic cells accelerate the development of systemic lupus erythematosus in lupus prone BXSB mice / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To probe into the role of apoptotic cells in the disease development of systemic lupus erythematosus.Methods Apoptotic thymocytes injected intraperitoneally into syngeneic normal C57 mice and lupus prone BXSB mice,and then the level of anti dsDNA and anti ssDNA antibodies of IgM and IgG classes,and the concentration of urine protein and immune complex of IgG class deposited in kidney were detected.Results The apoptotic thymocytes induced the production of anti dsDNA and anti ssDNA antibody of IgG class in C57 mice,and their levels were higher in female BXSB mice than in male ones.The concentration of urine protein of male BXSB mice injected with apoptotic thymocytes was noticeably higher than that of the control male BXSB mice.Conclusion Apoptotic cells have immunogenicity,and may be the major source of autoantigens in lupus BXSB mice.Lupus genetic factors and Yaa gene can potentiate the immunogenicity of apoptotic cells or accelerate their inducing the lupus nephritis.