MRL/Lpr mice with SLE have elevated sera BAFF, elevated anti-dsDNA antibodies and kidney disease.

(A) Mean ± SD of serum BAFF levels determined by ELISA. The data shown are from 5 to13 female mice per group. (B) Titers of anti-dsDNA IgG in serum are plotted. Sera from 2 and 5 month old mice were tested for anti-dsDNA IgG levels by ELISA. Titer is defined by the serum dilution giving an OD reading 2 times higher than background. Mean titers ± SEM from 3 to11 mice in each group were plotted. (C) Mean ± SD of proteinuria score is plotted. Approximate levels of protein levels in urine: score 0 = 0- trace, score 1 = 30 mg/dL, score 2 = 100 mg/dL, score 3 = 300 mg/dL, and score 4 = > 2000 mg/dL. The data shown are from 5 to13 female mice per group. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.001 indicate statistically significant differences between MRL/Lpr or MRL vs BALB/c, while † p < 0.05, †† p < 0.01, and ††† p < 0.001 indicates statistical differences between MRL and MRL/Lpr strains.