Context
Expansion of autoreactive B cells could explain the presence of autoantibodies in the autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To gain better insight into the production of autoreactive B cells, the authors have developed a drug-induced model of lupus in BALB/c mice transgenic for the heavy chain of an anti-DNA antibody. Normally, the transgenic mice display effective regulation of the transgene-expressing anti-DNA B cells. When treated with exogenous 17'-estradiol (E2), autoreactive B cells were activated and mice developed a lupus-like disease.