[Induction of oral immune tolerance in systemic lupus erythematosus-like murine model by recombinant nucleosomal universal Th cell epitope].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the feasibility of oral immune tolerance of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like model induced by nucleosomal Th cell epitope via the attenuated Salmonella typhimurium.


METHODS
SLE-like murine model was established by immunization with apoptotic syngeneic lymphocytes. The recombinant strains were orally administrated to induce immune tolerance. The levels of serum autoantibodies, such as anti-ANA, ds-DNA, and antinucleosome antibody, leukopenia, proteinuria and kidney injuries were evaluated.


RESULTS
SLE-like murine model was successfully established. Compared with controls, it was shown that CTLA4-Ig-H2B group could dramatically reduce the levels of serum autoantibodies, such as anti-ANA, ds-DNA and antinucleosome antibody and ameliorate leukopenia and proteinuria (all P < 0.05). Immune complex deposits of IgG in glomeruli were lower in CTLA4-Ig-H2B (1.35 +/- 0.16) than in CTLA4-Ig (1.66 +/- 0.23) and H2B (1.69 +/- 0.24) (both P < 0.05). The score of glomeruli lesion of CTLA4-Ig-H2B (1.26 +/- 0.14) was significantly lower than those of CTLA4-Ig (1.73 +/- 0.25) and H2B (1.71 +/- 0.20) (both P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Combined with CTLA4-Ig, it is feasible to induce oral immune tolerance of SLE models with nucleosomal Th cell epitope via the attenuated Salmonella typhimurium. This may provide a novel way to prevent and treat SLE by oral immune tolerance.
Zhou
Chun-Li
CL
Department of Dermatology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
Hao
Jin
J
Tang
Shu-Qian
SQ
Zhong
Bai-Yu
BY
Hao
Fei
F
D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000276:immunology*; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D009707:Nucleosomes; D004247:DNA