Acute SLE in F1 hybrids between SB/Le and NZW mice; prominently enhanced formation of gp70 immune complexes by a Y chromosome-associated factor from SB/Le mice.

Both sexes of the F1 hybrids between SB/Le and NZW mice developed a spontaneous lupus-like disease. Their disease is essentially identical in time course and nature with autoimmune responses that are seen in the F1 hybrids between BXSB and NZW mice. The presence of abnormal Y chromosomes in the SB/Le strain was proved by the finding that the accelerated disease occurred in the F1 hybrid males only when the male parent was SB/Le but not NZW. The acceleration of disease in male F1 hybrids with abnormal Y chromosome was significantly associated with the enhanced formation of gp70 IC but not anti-DNA antibodies. These results indicate that all or almost all of the genetic abnormalities expressed in the BXSB strain are contributed by the SB/Le strain, and the Y chromosome-associated factor enhances the autoimmune response to serum gp70 antigen more markedly than to DNA antigens.