Establishment of systemic lupus erythematosus-like murine model with Sm mimotope / 中国医学科学院学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) -like murine model by immunizing BALB/C mice with Sm mimotope.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sm mimotope was identified by screening a 12-mer random peptide library with monoclonal anti-Smith antibody. Sm mimotope was initially defined with sandwich ELISA, DNA sequencing, and deduced amino acid sequence; and BALB/C mice were subcutaneously injected with mixture phages clones. Sera Sm antibody, anti-double stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody, and antinuclear antibody (ANA) of mice were detected using direct immunofluorescence; kidney histological changes were examined by HE staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five randomly selected peptides were sequenced and the amino acid sequences IR, SQ, and PP were detected in a higher frequency. High-titer IgG autoantibodies of dsDNA, Sm, and ANA in the sera of experiment group were detected by ELISA 28 days after having been immunized by Sm mimotope. Proteinuria was detected 33 days later; immune complex and nephritis were observed in kidney specimens.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SLE-like murine model can be successfully induced by Sm phage mimotope.</p>