Autoantibodies in outbred Swiss Webster mice following exposure to gold and mercury

Exposure to heavy metals may have toxic effects on several human organs causing morbidity and mortality. Metals trigger or exacerbate autoimmunity in humans. Inbred mouse strains with certain H-2 haplotypes are susceptible xenobiotic-induced autoimmunity; their immune response such as mercury, gold, silver been explored. Serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA), polyclonal B-cell activation, hypergammaglobulinemia tissue complex deposition the main features of metal-induced inbred mice. However, do not represent genetic heterogeneity In this study, outbred Swiss Webster (SW) mice exposed gold mercury salts showed autoimmune responses. Intramuscular injection 22.5 mg/kg.bw aurothiomalate (AuTM) induced IgG ANA SW starting after 5 weeks that persisted until week 15 although a lower intensity. This was accompanied by elevated serum levels total against chromatin histones. led development autoantibodies corresponding H1 H2A histones, dsDNA. Both activation. Eight mg/L mercuric chloride (HgCl2) drinking water, caused antinucleolar (ANoA) kidneys spleen. anti-fibrillarin, anti-PM/Scl-100 antibodies, were observed mercury-exposed Gold systemic genetically heterogeneous suggest them an appropriate model study autoimmunity.