PALMERSTON-NORTH MICE, A NEW ANIMAL-MODEL OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 92  (6) , 932-945
Abstract
An animal model of SLE [systemic lupus erythematosus], the PN [Palmerston North] mouse, was described. Although outbred PN mice were studied originally as models of polyarteritis nodosa, their inbred descendants have autoimmune disease which closely resembles SLE. Positive indirect immunofluorescence tests for ANA [anti-nuclear antibodies] appeared when the mice were 5 mo. old, and 80% of mice were ANA-positive at 10 mo. of age. Anti-DNA antibodies were detected in sera from newborn mice and from 53% of mice under 2 mo. of age. Of PN mice, 76% developed anti-DNA antibodies at the age of 10 mo. Glomerular deposits of Ig[immunoglobulin]G, IgM, IgA and complement appeared at 2-4 wk of age, and examination of renal tissue by EM showed basement membrane thickening and dense intramembranous deposits. Neoplasms arose in 14% of PN mice. Female mice died earlier than male mice, and the most common causes of death were glomerulonephritis and arteritis. The serologic and histologic characteristics of disease in PN mice resembled SLE.