Systemic lupus erythematosus and the brain: what mice are telling us.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms occur in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a complex, autoimmune disease of unknown origin. Although several pathogenic mechanisms have been suggested to play a significant role in the etiology of the disease, the exact underlying mechanisms still remain elusive. Several inbred strains of mice are used as models to study SLE, which exhibit a diversity of central nervous system (CNS) manifestations similar to that observed in patients. This review will attempt to give a brief overview of the CNS alterations observed in these models, including biochemical, structural and behavioral changes.
Alexander
Jessy J
JJ
Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC5100, Chicago, IL 60637, United States. jalexand@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
Quigg
Richard J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051379:Mice