Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Animal Model Service
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) animal model service provides a comprehensive and customizable platform for in vivo efficacy testing, mechanism-of-action studies, and preclinical evaluation of novel therapeutics. Protheragen offers end-to-end solutions for SLE animal model development and disease research, from model selection and compound administration to detailed phenotypic characterization and biomarker analysis, all tailored to accelerate your drug discovery pipeline for this complex autoimmune disorder.
Overview of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Animal Models
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a heterogeneous chronic autoimmune disorder. It is marked by a disruption of immune tolerance, the generation of autoimmune antibodies targeting nuclear antigens, and subsequent multi-system inflammation and damage. Due to the complexity of its pathogenesis involving genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors, robust animal models are indispensable for deciphering disease mechanisms and evaluating potential interventions. These models recapitulate various aspects of human SLE, including autoimmune nephritis, dermatitis, and serological abnormalities, providing a vital link between in vitro research and in vivo experiments.
Fig.1 Therapeutic efficacy of CAR-T cells in a mouse model of SLE. (Jin, X., et al., 2021)Our Services
Utilizing our advanced understanding of immunology and rare disease research alongside our cutting-edge animal facility, we provide a range of specialized services to assist your SLE program. Our scientists have considerable experience in developing and refining the most pertinent SLE models, working to ensure your study is crafted with both statistical rigor and biological relevance. We provide our customers with dependable, high-caliber, reproducible in vivo data to facilitate informed decision-making and expedite your drug development process.
Animal Models of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Spontaneous Models
To facilitate the study of the natural progression and underlying immunopathology of SLE, a selection of spontaneous models is offered, which develop a lupus-like syndrome.
- NZB/W F1 Model
- MRL/lpr Model
- BXSB/MpJ Model
- Others
To enable the development of drugs for SLE, various induced models are provided, where a robust lupus-like condition is triggered through the administration of exogenous agents or immunizations.
- Pristane-induced model
- BM12-transfer induced model
- CJ-S131 induced model
- Others
For targeted research into the molecular pathways involved in SLE, a range of genetically engineered models is available, created through precise manipulations of lupus-associated genes.
- Trex1-KO model
- B6-hBAFF model
- PD-1H-/- model
- Others
Mouse Model for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research
| Model Name | Modeling Method | Sales Status | Detailed Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trex1-KO Mouse Model | Knockout | Repository Live | This model features a targeted deletion of exon 2 in the Trex1 gene, which results in a functional knockout of the TREX1 exonuclease. |
| B6-hBAFF Mouse Model | Transgenic | Sperm Cryopreservation | This humanized model features the replacement of the murine extracellular domain of Tnfrsf13c with the corresponding human sequence. |
| MRL/lpr Mouse Model | Spontaneous | Repository Live | A classic spontaneous SLE model on the MRL/MpJ background, characterized by the lymphoproliferation spontaneous mutation (Faslpr). |
| C4b-KO Mouse Model | Knockout | Sperm Cryopreservation | This strain carries a defined deletion of exon 3 within the C4b gene, leading to a deficiency in the C4b complement protein. |
| Ikzf3-KO Mouse Model | Knockout | Sperm Cryopreservation | It is generated through the targeted deletion of exon 8 of the Ikzf3 gene. |
| Csf2-KO Mouse Model | Knockout | Repository Live | The model harbors a deletion encompassing exons 1-3 of the Csf2 gene. |
| Pristane Induced Mouse Model | Induced | Repository Live | A well-established induced model where a single intraperitoneal injection of pristane triggers a chronic autoimmune syndrome. |
Case Study-Pristane Induced Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Model Development
Model Introduction
The pristane-induced SLE model is a well-established and reliable system for studying autoimmune pathogenesis and evaluating novel therapeutic interventions. This model recapitulates key features of human SLE, including the production of specific autoantibodies and the development of lupus nephritis, providing a robust and controlled platform for preclinical drug development.
Methodology
- Animal Model: Female C57BL/6 mice (6-8 weeks old) were selected due to their heightened susceptibility to pristane-induced lupus-like pathology compared to males. Disease was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mL pristane. A control group received an equivalent volume of PBS.
- Phenotypic Analysis Methods: Mice were monitored regularly for general health, survival, and body weight. Urine samples were collected for proteinuria analysis. Blood was drawn before injection and bi-weekly thereafter. Serum was isolated and analyzed by ELISA for circulating autoantibodies, specifically anti-dsDNA IgG levels.
Phenotypic Analysis & Results
Administration of pristane successfully induced a lupus-like phenotype. Treated mice exhibited a significant, time-dependent increase in serum anti-dsDNA IgG levels. Statistical analysis revealed highly significant differences in autoantibody titers between the pristane-treated and control groups at both 6 weeks and 12 weeks post-injection. Furthermore, the model consistently developed key pathological manifestations, such as pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia and elevated proteinuria, indicating systemic autoimmunity and organ involvement.
Fig.2 Validation of the pristane-induced mouse model. (A) Serum anti-dsDNA IgG concentrations were significantly elevated at 6 weeks post-pristane administration. (B) Anti-dsDNA IgG concentrations continued to rise and remained significantly high at 12 weeks. (C) Histopathological analysis of lung tissue revealed characteristic pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia in the model group. Data are presented as mean ± SEM (n=6; ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01, *p < 0.05).Conclusion
In summary, the pristane-induced SLE model is a highly reproducible and valid system for modeling human lupus, characterized by defined serological and pathological manifestations. It serves as a critical tool for efficacy testing, providing robust in vivo data to support drug discovery programs from early screening to advanced preclinical studies.
Contact Us
Protheragen's integrated service portfolio encompasses the entire preclinical workflow, from the SLE model generation to pharmacokinetics that explain the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of your therapeutic. Also, we perform comprehensive drug safety and toxicology evaluations to assess the potential off-target effects. Please get in touch with our expert team for a confidential consultation to explain how our SLE animal model services can help de-risk and speed up your drug development process.
Reference
- Jin, Xuexiao et al. "Therapeutic efficacy of anti-CD19 CAR-T cells in a mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus." Cellular & molecular immunology 18.8 (2021): 1896-1903.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.