Phenotypic profiling of pristane-induced mimicking human systemic lupus erythematosus in Macaca fascicularis

Abstract

Background

The development of nonhuman primate models that replicate human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains limited. This study aimed to develop a pristane-induced SLE model in Macaca fascicularis and evaluate its capacity to mimic human-like clinical and laboratory immunological alterations.

Methods

An experimental, single-arm investigation was performed using six female M. fascicularis (2–3 years old, 3–4 kg), which received a single intraperitoneal pristane injection (5 mL/kg body weight) to induce SLE and were monitored biweekly.

Results

Throughout the 24-week study period, all macaques developed hallmark SLE-like changes without requiring a booster, including a pronounced increase in antinuclear antibody titers (p = 0.002), with anti-dsDNA positivity detected at the study endpoint. Significant decline was observed in hemoglobin, leukocyte, and lymphocyte count (p < 0.05), reflecting hematologic perturbations consistent with human SLE. Physiologic deterioration, manifested as hyperthermia and weight loss, also emerged early (p = 0.001). Biochemical assessment demonstrated mild hepatic and renal dysfunction marked by elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and urea concentrations (p < 0.05). Uniform proteinuria further indicated renal involvement, although the absence of hematuria suggests a spectrum of renal injury that may be less severe than that observed in advanced human SLE and may require longer observation.

Conclusion

Overall, the reproducibility of autoantibody elevation and multisystem involvement demonstrates the model's translational potential. This nonhuman primate model offers a significant framework for investigating SLE pathogenesis and assessing novel therapy approaches.