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: Semin Arthritis Rheum 1999 Dec;29(3):140-147 |
Immunization as a model for systemic lupus
erythematosus.
Scofield RH, James JA.
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and the University of Oklahoma Health
Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73104, USA.
BACKGROUND: Immunization of laboratory animals is a new model system for
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the autoimmunity of SLE. OBJECTIVE:
Review the published reports describing immunization as a model of SLE and
describe the state of this research as well as future objectives as related to
human illness. METHODS: Medline search for relevant articles as well as review
of cited bibliographies. RESULTS: Either rabbits or mice can be immunized with
proteins or oligopeptides that are lupus autoantigens with a resulting immune
response not just to the immunogen but instead to a host of other self
components that are also SLE-associated autoantigens. Several studies have
noted clinical illness in these animals that resembles human SLE. In addition,
injection of pristane (a component of mineral oil) also results in SLE-like
autoimmunity, even though lupus autoantigens are not present. Pristane injected
animals may also develop an SLE-like illness. There are reports of human SLE
having its onset after immunization, but there have been no prospective
studies. CONCLUSIONS: Studies are needed to determine whether human SLE tends
to begin soon after immunization. Meanwhile, continued study of animal models
developed after immunization is needed in order to determine the relevance of
this model to human disease. RELEVANCE: SLE and/or SLE-like autoimmunity can be
triggered after immunization of animals. This may be a model for an
environmental trigger of human SLE.
Publication Types:
·
Review
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Review, tutorial
PMID: 10622678 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]