Abstract
In the SLE-prone NZB × NZW F1 (NZB/WF1 mice), the unique T cell receptor β chain gene originating from NZW mice is known to contribute to the accelerated autoimmune disorders in association with the heterozygosity of H-2d/H-2z haplotype. To determine the possible role of TCR α chain gene in the autoimmune disease of NZB/W F1 mice, we examined the relation between the presence of TCR α chain gene of NZW mice and the severity of autoimmune manifestation in 69NZB /W F1 × NZB backcrossed mice. Although the TCR α chain gene of NZW mice alone is not related to the accelerated autoimmune disease, the presence of this gene resulted in a significantly high serum level of IgG 2 and-ds DNA autoantibodies and IgG anti-histone autoantibodies in association with other genetic factors such as the TCR β chain gene complex of NZW mice or H-2d/H-2Z heterozygosity.
These findings suggestd that T cells expressing a particular combination of a and β chain genes both originating from NZW mice recognize the pathogenic antigen of F1 unique class II molecules and accelerate the autoimmune disease in NZB/W F1 mice.
