Genetic and cellular basis of anti-DNA antibody synthesis in systemic lupus erythematosus of New Zealand mice.

There is now ample evidence that multiple genes are involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in New Zealand mice. However, it also became evident that SLE is a syndrome in which each autoimmune feature is separately controlled by a limited number of major genes although some common genes do play a role in different autoimmune features. The data obtained by genetic analyses of murine lupus are a most useful guide for studies on autoimmunity, as related to (1) the type or subset of immune cells expressing each autoimmune disease gene; (2) how each gene or the cell (in which the gene is activated) plays a role in the etiopathogenesis of the disease; and (3) how the gene actions can be manipulated. Data on aspects of the genetic and cellular basis of murine lupus, particularly as related to the anti-DNA antibody synthesis in the (NZB X NZW)F1 hybrid mice are presented based on studies done in our laboratories.