OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether it can be used as a mouse model for the study of cutaneous lupus erythematosus by observing and identifying skin symptoms in aged systemic lupus erythematosus (TC) mice.
METHODS: The age of TC mice with skin symptoms was observed, and the skin symptoms of mice of the same age were compared with those of C57BL/6 mice. The serum anti-dsDNA antibody and anti-ANA antibody of the mice were detected by ELISA, and the skin pathological symptoms of the mice were detected by HE staining.
RESULTS: 2/3 of TC mice had symptoms such as hair loss and skin ulceration. The earliest lesions occurred at 40 weeks of age. The serum anti-dsDNA antibody and anti-ANA antibody titers of lupus mice with skin lesions were significantly higher than those of C57BL/6 mice (P<0.05); HE staining results showed that the stratum corneum of lupus mice was absent, the continuity of the epithelial layer was interrupted, and the dermis was infiltrated by a large number of lymphocytes.
Conclusion: Lupus mice develop skin lesions after 40 weeks, indicating that the mice can be used as a disease model for the study of chronic cutaneous lupus.