C1r/C1s deficiency is insufficient to induce murine systemic lupus erythematosus

Genes Immun. 2019 Feb;20(2):121-130. doi: 10.1038/s41435-018-0020-5. Epub 2018 Mar 18.

Abstract

C1s deficiency is strongly associated with the development of human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, the mechanisms by which C1s deficiency contributes to the development of SLE have not yet been elucidated in detail. Using ICR-derived-glomerulonephritis (ICGN) mouse strain that develops SLE and very weakly expresses C1s in the liver, we investigated the protective roles of C1s against SLE. A genetic sequence analysis revealed complete deletion of the C1s1 gene, a mouse homolog of the human C1s gene, with partial deletion of the C1ra and C1rb genes in the ICGN strain. This deletion led to the absence of C1r/C1s and a low level of C1q in the circulation. In order to investigate whether the C1r/C1s deficiency induces SLE, we produced a congenic mouse strain by introducing the deletion region of ICGN into the C57BL/6 strain. Congenic mice exhibited no C1r/C1s and a low level of C1q in the circulation, but did not have any autoimmune defects. These results suggest that C1r/C1s deficiency is not sufficient to drive murine SLE and also that other predisposing genes exist in ICGN mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Complement C1r / deficiency
  • Complement C1r / genetics*
  • Complement C1s / deficiency
  • Complement C1s / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR

Substances

  • Complement C1r
  • Complement C1s