Experimental anti-GBM disease as a tool for studying spontaneous lupus nephritis.
Lupus nephritis is an immune-mediated disease, where antibodies and T cells both play pathogenic roles. Since spontaneous lupus nephritis in mouse models takes 6-12 months to manifest, there is an urgent need for a mouse model that can be used to delineate the pathogenic processes that lead to immune nephritis, over a quicker time frame. We propose that the experimental anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease model might be a suitable tool for uncovering some of the molecular steps underlying lupus nephritis. This article reviews the current evidence that supports the use of the experimental anti-GBM nephritis model for studying spontaneous lupus nephritis. Importantly, out of about 25 different molecules that have been specifically examined in the experimental anti-GBM model and also spontaneous lupus nephritis, all influence both diseases concordantly, suggesting that the experimental model might be a useful tool for unraveling the molecular basis of spontaneous lupus nephritis. This has important clinical implications, both from the perspective of genetic susceptibility as well as clinical therapeutics.
Fu
Yuyang
Y
Department of Internal Medicine (Rheumatology) and Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Y8.204, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-8884, USA.
Du
Yong
Y
Mohan
Chandra
C
D000818:Animals; D019867:Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology