Summary
The MRL-lpr/lpr(MRL/l) mouse is a new animal model for human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and skin lesions with hair loss and scab formation are one of the characteristic manifestations in this mouse. We investigated the histopathology of the skin lesions in MRL/l mice and studied the related autoimmune phenomenon. Light microscopical observations revealed hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, hypergranulosis, liquefaction, vasodilation in the dermis and T-cell infiltration into the dermis at the age of 5 months (mo). Immunohistological studies showed the presence of immunoglobulins and/or complement depositions at the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ). In some mice there was deposition of immunoglobulin at the DEJ at 2 mo and in 90%–100% of MRL/l mice at over 5 mo. Temporal relationship was present among cutaneous immunoglobulin depositions, the occurrence of anti-DNA antibodies and proteinuria. These findings suggest that MRL/l mice might provide a new aid for studying the biological mechanisms of the development of skin lesions in human SLE.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Furukawa F, Hamashima Y (1982) Lupus band test in New Zealand mice and MRL mice. J Dermatol (Tokyo) 9:467–471
Gilliam JN (1975) The significance of cutaneous immunoglobulin deposits in lupus erythematosus and NZB/NZW hybrid mice. J Invest Dermatol 65:154–161
Kawaji H, Tsukuda R, Nakaguchi T (1980) Immunopathology of rhino mouse, an autosomal recessive mutant with murine lupus-like disease. Acta Pathol Jpn 30:515–530
Monier JC, Dardenne M, Rigal D, Costa O, Fournel C, Lapras M (1980) Clinical and laboratory features of canine lupus syndromes, Arthritis Rheum 23:294–301
Cohen AS, Reynold WE, Franklin EC, Kulka JP, Ropes MW, Shulman LE, Wallance SI (1971) Preliminary criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus. Bull Rheum Dis 21:643–648
Murphy ED, Roths JB (1978) Autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation: induction by mutant gene lpr, and acceleration by a male associated factor in strain BXSB mice. In: Rose, Biguzzi, Warner (ed) Genetic control of autoimmune disease, Elsevier, North Holland, p 207
Maruyama N, Furukawa F, Nakai Y, Sasaki Y, Ohta K, Ozaki S, Hirose S, Shirai T (1983) Genetic studies of autoimmunity in New Zealand mice. IV. Contribution of NZB and NZW genes to the spontaneous occurrence of retoviral gp 70 immune complexes in (NZBxNZW)F1 hybrid and the correlation to renal disease. J Immunol 130:740–746
Furukawa F, Taniguchi S, Oguchi M, Komura J, Takiuchi H, Shirakawa S (1980) True histiocytic lymphoma. Arch Dermatol 116:915–918
Yoshida H, Kohno A, Ohta K, Hirose S, Maruyama N, Shirai T (1981) Genetic studies of autoimmunity in New Zealand mice. III. Associations among anti-DNA antibodies, NTA, and renal disease in (NZBxNZW)F1xNZW backcross mice. J Immunol 127:433–437
Furukawa F, Sekita K, Hamashima Y, Ozaki M, Imamura S (1983) Evaluation of circulating immune complexes and antinuclear antibodies in Japanese patients with leprosy. Arch Dermatol Res 275:144–146
Koike T, Nagasawa R, Nagata N, Shirai T (1982) Specificity of mouse hybridoma antibodies to DNA. Immunol Lett 4:93–97
Knight JG, Adams DD, Purves HD (1977) The genetic contribution of the NZB mouse to the renal disease of the NZBxNZW hybrid. Clin Exp Immunol 28:352–358
Theofilopoulos AN, Dixon FJ (1981) Epitopathogenisis of murine SLE. In: Möller (ed) Models of autoimmune diseases. Immunol Rev (Copenhagen) 55:179–216
Tamada Y, Ohashi M, Kobayashi T, Yoshida T, Kondo K (1976) Pathological studies on NC mouse with erythema and alopecia. Arerugi 25:829–836
Lever WF (1983) Connective tissue diseases. In: Lever, Schaumburg-Lever (ed) Histopathology of the skin, sixth ed. Lippincott, Philadelphia, pp 445–471
Furukawa F, Hamashima Y, Horiguchi Y, Imamura S (1983) Skin lesions in MRL/1 mice. Nipon Hifuka Gakkai Zasshi 93:154 (Abstract in Japanese, Horiguchi et al.; manuscript in preparation)
Sommer VM, Rudofsky UH, Gabrielsen AE (1975) Immune complexes in skin of NZB/NZW mice. Clin Exp Immunol 22:461–467
Tanaka H, Kanemura T, Matsuda S, Furukawa F, Nakai Y, Sekita K, Hamashima Y (1984) Age-related immunohistopathological changes of murine lupus nephritis in NZB/NZW F1 mice using serial renal biopsy. Acta histochemica cytochemica 16:293–307
Andrews BS, Eisenberg RA, Theofilopoulos AN, Izui S, Wilson CB, McConahey PJ, Murphy ED, Roths JB, Dixo FJ (1978) Spontaneous murine lupus-like syndromes. Clinical and immunopathological manifestations in several strains. J Exp Med 148:1198–1215
Natali PG, Tan EM (1973) Experimental skin lesions in mice resembling systemic erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum 16:579–589
Landry M, Sams WM (1972) Basement-membrane antibodies in two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lancet 1:821–822
Furukawa F, Hamashima Y (1982) Immunoglobulin deposition at dermal epidermal junction in SLE-prone mice. Proc Jpn Soc Invest Dermatol 7:41–42
Izui S, Lambert P, Miescher PA (1976) In vitro demonstration of a particular affinity of glomerular basement membrane and collagen for DNA. A possible basis for a local formation of DNA-anti-DNA complexes in systemic lupus erythematosus. J Exp Med 14:428–443
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This is the second part of a series of papers entitled ‘Pathogenesis of Lupus Dermatoses in Autoimmune Mice’
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Furukawa, F., Tanaka, H., Sekita, K. et al. Dermatopathological studies on skin lesions of MRL mice. Arch Dermatol Res 276, 186–194 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00414018
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00414018