Strain Detail: CD40L Tg mice

CD40L transgenic mice were established by injecting the DNA fragment containing the mouse CD40L cDNA, a V_H promoter, the IgH intron enhancer, and the Igκ3' enhancer into C57BL/6 fertilized eggs. This strain ectopically expresses CD40 ligands on B cells with the C57BL/6 background. This strain is a good model for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Some of the 12- to 14-mo-old CD40L-transgenic mice spontaneously produced autoantibodies, such as anti-DNA antibodies, and anti-histone antibodies. Approximately half of the transgenic mice developed glomerulonephritis with immune-complex deposition.

What are CD40 and CD40L?

CD40 is a member of TNFR family and is expressed in cells such as B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. CD40 ligand (CD40L) is a member of the TNF ligand family, expressed mainly on activated T cells. CD40/CD40L play an important role in cell activation. In B cells, interation with CD40L promotes proliferation and survival of B cells, Ig isotype switching.

What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease manifesting inflammatory damage in a variety of organs including glomerulonephritis, myocarditis and pericarditis. SLE is characterized by production of autoantibodies to nuclear components such as DNA, histone. The etiology of SLE involves both genetic and environmental factors, although the details are largely unknown.

1. Higuchi T, Aiba Y, Nomura T, Matsuda J, Mochida K, Suzuki M, Kikutani H, Honjo T, Nishioka K, and Tsubata T. (2002) Cutting Edge: Ectopic expression of CD40 ligand on B cells induces lupus-like autoimmune disease. J. Immunol. 168(1):9-12. [PMID:11751940]