Lupus-prone B6.Nba2 male and female mice display anti-DWEYS reactivity and a neuropsychiatric phenotype

Neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE), a manifestation of the autoimmune disease systemic erythematosus (SLE), is characterized by psychiatric symptoms including anxiety and depression upregulated autoantibodies. The B6.Nba2 spontaneous mouse model develops SLE, but has not previously been tested for NPSLE. We investigated NPSLE phenotype in male female mice (n = 12 each) age- sex-matched B6 controls 10 via behavioral assessments anxiety, depression, memory deficits. Serum anti-dsDNA, anti-nRNP, anti-DWEYS peptide reactive IgG autoantibody levels soluble TWEAK were determined ELISA. Hippocampal regions stained activated microglia neurons. Both showed elevated anti-dsDNA IgG, anti-nRNP antibodies, serum levels, strong (p < 0.05–0.0001). Male developed this at slightly older age than females. Female displayed reduced numbers neurons hippocampal region compared to 0.05). recapitulates many known phenotypes, making it promising investigate development context SLE.