Combined deficiency of proapoptotic regulators Bim and Fas results in the early onset of systemic autoimmunity

Alterations in the stoichiometric balance between members of Bcl-2 and Fas apoptotic pathway could lead to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We showed that patients with SLE displayed increased expression in antiapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 and Fas apoptotic pathways in isolated mononuclear cells. Further, mice (Bcl2l11(-/-) Fas(lpr/lpr) lacking the Bcl-2 pro-apoptotic member, Bim (Bcl2l11(-/-)) and and with an lpr mutation in the gene encoding Fas (Fas(lpr/lpr)) developed severe SLE-like disease by 16 weeks of age unlike Bcl2l11(-/-) or Fas(lpr/lpr) mice. Bcl2l11(-/-)Fas(lpr/lpr) antigen-presenting cells (APCs) were markedly activated, and their numbers were increased in lymphoid tissues and in kidneys, yet numerous TUNEL-positive cells were observed in glomeruli of Bcl2l11(-/-)Fas(lpr/lpr) mice. These data demonstrate that dysreaulation of the Bcl-2 or Fas pathways can alter the function of APCs, thereby leading to SLE pathogenesis.