17-β Estradiol reduces atherosclerosis without exacerbating lupus in ovariectomized systemic lupus erythematosus-susceptible LDLr(-/-) mice.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To test the hypothesis that estrogen treatment in a radiation chimera mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and atherosclerosis will increase SLE-associated atherosclerosis by increasing autoantibody production and inflammation.

Methods

We used a radiation chimera mouse model in which bone marrow from the polygenic B6.Sle1.2.3 model of SLE was transferred to the low density lipoprotein receptor knock out (LDLr(-/-)) model of atherosclerosis on a C57BL/6 background (Sle/LDLr(-/-)). Ovariectomized chimeric mice were treated for 10 weeks with either 5.6 μg/day of 17β-estradiol or placebo; outcomes included atherosclerosis plaque size, anti-dsDNA autoantibody production and renal pathology.

Results

Mean atherosclerosis plaque size was 67.4 ± 7.6% sma

SUBMITTER: Shelton KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3618855 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature