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November 2006 Mouse of the Month |
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MFG-E8 KO mouse A Model for Autoimmune Disease BRC No. 01726_MFG-E8 Knockout mouse
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 BRC No. 01726_MFG-E8 Knockout mouse |
 Autoantibody production in MFG-E8-deficient mice The titers of the anti-dsDNA and ANA in the serum of mice (W; wild-type, and K; MFG-E8-/- mice) at the age of 10 or 40 weeks (w). |
Apoptotic cells are rapidly uptaken by macrophages. This process is essential to prevent inflammation and the autoimmune response against intracellular antigens released from dying cells. Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8) is a protein that specifically binds to apoptotic cells and enhance the uptake of apoptotic cells by macrophages. The MFG-E8 deficient mice developed splenomegaly and suffered from glomerulonephritis as a result of autoantibody production (Figure right). MFG-E8 is considered to have a critical role in removing apoptotic B cells in spleen and lymph nodes, and its deficiency can lead to autoimmune disease.
