Murine SLE models and autoimmune disease.

Abstract

There are now three distinct strains of “lupus mice.” Studies of these animals have provided insights not only into SLE itself but into autoimmune disease in general, and perhaps also into rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction. With all strains, it has been possible to identify specific accelerating factors that appear to contribute to early and more severe disease manifestations.