CLASS-II MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX (MHC) GENE-EXPRESSION IN THE MOUSE-BRAIN IS ELEVATED IN THE AUTOIMMUNE MRL/MP-LPR/LPR STRAIN

Brain levels of Ia mRNA, quantified by RNA blot analysis, were found to be 30-50-fold lower than splenic levels in all autoimmune and normal mouse strains examined except MRL/1, whose brain content of Ia mRNA was comparable to normal splenic levels. Prior perfusion to remove blood cells did not alter the amount of Ia mRNA obtainable from MRL/1 brain. Elevation of Ia mRNA in MRL/1 as compared to control C3H mice was also found in kidney, liver, spleen, though not in thymus or lung. Results are discussed in relation to an animal model for central nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus. © 1990.