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A New Model of Induced Experimental Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Pigs and Its Amelioration by Treatment with a Tolerogenic Peptide

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Abstract

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a variety of autoantibodies and systemic clinical manifestations. A tolerogenic peptide, hCDR1, ameliorated lupus manifestations in mice models. The objectives of this study were to induce experimental SLE in pigs and to determine the ability of hCDR1 to immunomodulate the disease manifestations.

Results and Discussion

We report here the successful induction, by a monoclonal anti-DNA antibody, of an SLE-like disease in pigs, manifested by autoantibody production and glomerular immune complex deposits. Treatment of pigs with hCDR1 ameliorated the lupus-related manifestations. Furthermore, the treatment downregulated the gene expression of the pathogenic cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and IL-10, and upregulated the expression of the immunosuppressive cytokine transforming growth factor beta, the antiapoptotic molecule Bcl-xL, and the suppressive master gene, Foxp3, hence restoring the expression of the latter to normal levels. Thus, hCDR1 is capable of ameliorating lupus in large animals and is a potential candidate for the treatment of SLE patients.

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Acknowledgements

The immunization and treatment of the pigs were performed by a team from TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries LTD at the Institute of Animal Research, Kibbutz Lahav, Israel. The study was supported by TEVA.

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Correspondence to Edna Mozes.

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Sharabi, A., Dayan, M., Zinger, H. et al. A New Model of Induced Experimental Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Pigs and Its Amelioration by Treatment with a Tolerogenic Peptide. J Clin Immunol 30, 34–44 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-009-9326-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-009-9326-4

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