Skin Disease Is Prevented But Nephritis Is Accelerated by Multiple Pregnancies in Autoimmune MRL/LPR Mice

In this study, repeated pregnancies in MRL/lpr mice, a model for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), were found to prevent skin disease but worsen kidney disease. Mice that underwent three pregnancies showed reduced skin lesions, including hair loss and scabs, compared to virgin mice, with lower levels of IFN-γ and higher levels of IL-10 in the skin. However, these multiparous mice experienced significantly reduced survival and kidney function, with increased renal lesions and hypertension. The study suggested that lupus-related skin and kidney diseases might be regulated differently during pregnancy, with IFN-γ and IL-10 playing crucial roles at the local level.