Regulatory T cell deficient scurfy mice exhibit a Th2/M2-like inflammatory response in the skin

Abstract Background Scurfy mice have a functional defect in regulatory T cells (Treg), which leads to lethal multi-organ inflammation. The missing Treg function results in uncontrolled autoimmune cellular and humoral inflammatory responses. We and others have previously shown that during the course of disease scurfy mice develop severe skin inflammation and autoantibodies including anti-nuclear autoantibodies (ANA). Objective Autoimmune skin inflammation and ANA are hallmarks for the diagnosis of autoimmune connective tissue diseases; therefore we analyzed scurfy mice for typical signs of these diseases. Methods Indirect immunofluorescence was used to specify the ANA pattern in scurfy mice.…