Protection of murine systemic lupus erythematosus by an I-E α-chain transgene

SYSTEMIC lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disorder of generalized autoimmunity characterized by the formation of a variety of autoantibodies and the development of lethal glomerulonephritis. It is now well established that SLE is under some form of polygenic control in which multiple genetic factors independently contribute to the overall susceptibility of individuals to the disease. The gene(s) encoded within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) acts as one of the major genetic elements contributing to the susceptibility of murine SLE. It has been demonstrated that the lupus susceptibility is more closely linked to the I-E H-2 haplotype than to the I-E H-2 and H-2 haplotypes in lupus-prone BXSB and (NZB 3 BXSB)F1 hybrid mice. 1,2