Gene Expression Profiles in a Rabbit Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Autoantibody Production

Abstract

Material

A Rabbit Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Useful for Studies of Neuropsychiatric SLE

“…The MAP-BB without peptide was used as a control antigen. For subsequent studies, (Puliyath et al, 2008, Yang et al, 2009b, Rai et al 2010), MAP-8 was the BB of choice because it appeared to elicit more diverse autoantibody responses. Immunization: Rabbits each received subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of one of the MAP-peptides or control BB (0.5 mg/0.5 ml, in borate buffered saline, pH 8.0) emulsified with 0.5 ml of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA).…”

“…We extended the information about the rabbit model of SLE by microarray-based expression profiling of mRNA from peripheral blood leukocytes following peptide immunization (Rai et al, 2010). Data obtained in studies of gene expression in the first four groups of immunized rabbits were deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus and became At the time of the gene expression studies, microarrays specific for study of gene expression profiles were not available for rabbits.…”

“…Rabbits that did not respond with autoantibody production after immunization during this initial study by Rai et al, (2006) are not shown. The fourth group was described in Rai et al, (2010) and their mRNA included along with mRNA from the first three groups for gene expression profiling of a total of 46 pedigreed control-or immunized-rabbits as detailed below (section 2.2.3). Controls that received only phosphate buffered saline are designated PB.…”

“…The cRNA probes were prepared from mRNA using the Affymetrix gene chip eukaryotic small sample target labeling protocol assay version II (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA) using 2 cycles of cDNA synthesis and in vitro transcription (IVT) reactions. The cRNA thus obtained was used in the final IVT cycle for obtaining biotinylated cRNA using CTP and UTP (EnzoBioarray, Enzo Life Sciences, Farmingdale, NY) (Rai et al 2010).…”

“…We present here summaries of work by ourselves and coauthors that can contribute to improved understanding of neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) (Sanches-Guerro et al, 2008). Our gene expression studies (Rai, et al, 2010) and extensive evaluations of autoantibody responses coupled with observed clinical symptoms of animals immunized against peptides from the Smith antigen (Sm) or the NMDA glutamate receptor have shown promise to improve understanding NPSLE. An overview of immune system development, genetic diversity of immunoglobulin genes and somatic diversification during B-cell development in rabbits can be found in a review by Mage et al, (2006) and reference therein.…”