title: Models of systemic lupus erythematosus: development of autoimmunity following peptide immunizations of noninbred pedigreed rabbits.
abstract: Reported in this study are the initial results from studies to develop rabbit models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by immunizations using two distinct peptides on branched polylysine backbones (multiple Ag peptide)-peptides. Eleven rabbits received a peptide from the Sm B/B' spliceosomal complex previously shown to be immunogenic in rabbits, and 13 rabbits received a peptide from the rabbit N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor NR2b. All 24 animals in different generations of pedigreed, noninbred rabbits produced peptide-specific responses. Anti-nuclear autoantibody responses, including anti-dsDNA, were seen in 17 of 24 rabbits. To date, two rabbits have been observed to have seizure-like events and a third nystagmus. A model for eliciting development of SLE in genetically related yet heterogeneous rabbits may more closely resemble development of human SLE than do some models in inbred mice. Through selective breeding, it may also ultimately provide additional information about the genetics and etiology of SLE and serve as a model for assessing new treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Geeta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rai
authors.forename: Satyajit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: Robyn E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Paula F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Degrange
authors.forename: Rose G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Mage
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000276:immunology; D017381:Spliceosomes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; C121001:NR2B NMDA receptor; D010455:Peptides; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate