| First Author | Beurskens FJ | Year | 1999 |
| Journal | Clin Exp Immunol | Volume | 116 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 395-400 |
| PubMed ID | 10361225 | Mgi Jnum | J:56578 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:1341945 | Doi | 10.1046/j.1365-2249.1999.00907.x |
| Citation | Beurskens FJ, et al. (1999) Sex-limited protein: in vitro and in vivo functions. Clin Exp Immunol 116(3):395-400 |
| abstractText | Mouse complement component C4 exists in two isoforms, C4 and a protein with expression restricted to male animals called sex-limited protein (Slp). Although Slp is about 95% homologous to C4, it is generally believed to be non-functional, at least in conventional haemolytic complement assays. In a previous study, however, we showed that Slp is haemolytically active in a C1-inhibitor (C1INH)-regulated, EDTA-resistant mouse complement activation pathway. To study other possible implications of this finding, we generated constitutively expressing Slp-transgenic mice. The transgene was crossed into otherwise Slp-deficient C57Bl/6J and NZB mice. Members of the third backcross generation of C57Bl/6J mice were tested for functional Slp and classical and alternative complement pathway activities (CH50 and AP50 levels, respectively). Slp-transgenic C57Bl/6J mice showed enhanced CH50, but normal AP50 levels when compared with non-transgenic littermates. To discover a possible protective role for Slp in spontaneous systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in NZBxNZW (NZBxW) mice, the third backcross generation of Slp-transgenic NZB mice was mated with NZW mice and the development of SLE in the female offspring was followed. In these introductory experiments, Slp-transgenic NZBxW animals presented with a significantly extended life span. Our results imply that Slp is a mouse complement component with functions which partially resemble some of those of human C4A. |
