MODEL OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE AND METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING AGENTS AGAINST AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

摘要

Homozygouse knock-out mice lacking the Aiolos gene are shown to exhibit multiple phenotypes in common with humans suffering from the autoimmune disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). When Aiolos -/- mice are crossed with homozygous knock out mice lacking the OBF-1 transcription factor gene, resultant double knock out mice lack all signs of SLE. Methods of screening for agents active against autoimmune diseases, for example SLE are provided. In vitro methods include screening for antagonists of OBF-1, screening for agents which inhibit binding of OBF-1 to oct-1 or oct-2, screening for agonists or antagonists of Aiolos protein and screening for agents which upregulate expression of Aiolos or downregulate expression of OBF-1. Also disclosed are methods of screening using knock-out mice and B cells from knock-out mice.