Autoimmunity in BAFF transgenic mice

T cell autoimmunity in Ig transgenic mice.

Autoantibodies directed at a diverse group of proteins of the U1/Sm ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) are characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus and are found in the MRL murine model of this disease. This study examines the role of transgenic B lymphocytes in the regulation of autoreactive T cells to the snRNP autoantigen. Transgenic mice were developed bearing an Ig heavy chain gene specific f...

TNF deficiency fails to protect BAFF transgenic mice against autoimmunity and reveals a predisposition to B cell lymphoma.

TNF is well characterized as a mediator of inflammatory responses. TNF also facilitates organization of secondary lymphoid organs, particularly B cell follicles and germinal centers, a hallmark of T-dependent Ab responses. TNF also mediates defense against tumors. We examined the role of TNF in the development of inflammatory autoimmune disorders resembling systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjög...

April and Baff Connect Autoimmunity and Cancer

Recent studies of two newcomers to the TNF cytokine family have revealed an unsuspected link between autoimmunity and cancer. In this issue, Rennert et. al. (1) define the specific receptors for the orphan ligand known as APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand), which was previously recognized for its growth stimulating activity for tumors of lymphoid, colon, and thyroid origin (2). APRIL binds...

Development of Autoimmunity in IL-14 -Transgenic Mice

Spontaneous organ-specific Th2-mediated autoimmunity in TCR transgenic mice.

CD4(+) T cells that lead to autoimmune gastritis (AIG) in BALB/c mice are either Th1 or Th2 cells. To test whether the phenotype of disease is related to the particular TCR expressed by the pathogenic cell, we have generated several lines of TCR transgenic mice using receptors cloned from pathogenic Th1 or Th2 cells. We previously described spontaneous inflammatory AIG in A23 mice, caused by th...