The role of B cell abnormalities in the systemic autoimmune syndromes of lpr and gld mice.

B cell abnormalities play a central role in the systemic autoimmune syndromes of lpr and gld mice. In the lpr model, autoantibody production requires the intrinsic expression of the lpr gene in B cells, while in the gld mouse the genetic defect is extrinsic, yet probably results in a similar failure of B cell tolerance. Despite their abnormality, lpr B cells require lpr (abnormal) T cells in order to produce autoantibodies.