title: Deletion of IL-18 Expression Ameliorates Spontaneous Kidney Failure in MRLlpr Mice.
abstract: The role of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus is still not definitively solved. In this study, we generated MRLlpr mice, which develop a disease resembling systemic lupus erythematosus, genetically devoid of IL-18 expression. These mice in comparison to IL-18-competent MRLlpr mice show reduced signs of renal pathogenesis, while other parameters such as mean survival time, lymphadenopathy, constitutive interferon-γ production, and frequency of CD3+B220+ abnormal T cells were without differences. We conclude that in the systemic lupus erythematosus syndrom IL-18 is involved specifically in the renal pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Bastian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schirmer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wedekind
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Glage
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Detlef
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neumann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D020382:Interleukin-18