All mice studied were on the C57BL/6 background. BALB/C.Act1−/− mice [1] were backcrossed more than 12 generations to C57Bl/6J. B6.129P-Tcrbtm1MomTcrdtm1Mom/J

mice were purchased from The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, ME). Triple knockout (TKO) animals (TCRβ−/−TCRδ−/−Act1−/−) and age-matched controls (WT, Act1 deficient (B6.Act1−/−), and TCRβ−/−TCRδ−/− double-deficient mice (TCRβ/δ−/−)) were generated in our Biological Research Unit at Lerner Research Institute. Both male and female mice were analyzed. Animals were maintained in accordance with guidelines provided by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation selleck chemicals llc Animal Research Committee. Serum was collected from WT, B6.Act1−/−, TCRβ/δ−/−, and TKO mice and levels of serum immunoglobulins were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, IgG1, and IgG2c) and anti-nuclear autoantibodies (ANA; anti-chromatin IgG, anti-chromatin IgM, anti-histone LDK378 IgG, and anti-histone IgM) were detected as previously described [38] using HRP-conjugated anti-mouse IgG and anti-mouse IgM secondary antibodies (Southern Biotech). Anti-dsDNA IgG and anti-SSB/La IgG levels were determined using the manufacturer’s protocol (Alpha Diagnostic International Inc., TX). Anti-dsDNA IgM

levels were determined using the anti-dsDNA IgG kit, but replacing the secondary anti-IgG antibody with HRP-conjugated anti-mouse IgM. Levels of serum Igs were determined Protein kinase N1 based on a colorimetric assay measured on a Victor 3 plate reader (Perkin Elmer, MA) at 450 nm. Kidneys were collected from four mice per strain (WT, TCRβ/δ−/−, B6.Act1−/−, and TKO). One half was fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. Five-micrometer sections were generated and kidney morphology was detected by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of formalin-fixed

samples. A total of three sections more than 30 μm apart were analyzed per mouse. Mesangial cellularity was determined in a blinded fashion by counting of nuclei within 2–3 glomeruli per section per mouse. Another half kidney was quick frozen in Tissue Tek® (Sakura, CA) on dry ice. Immunofluorescence staining were performed as previously described [38]. Briefly, 5 μm sections were obtained and at least two sections per mouse were analyzed. Frozen samples were fixed with cold (−20°C) acetone, washed with 1× phosphate buffered saline (1 × PBS, pH 7.4), and blocked with 10% normal goat serum (Invitrogen, CA) for 30 min. Antibodies specific to IgG, IgM, or IgA (Texas-red-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG, Invitrogen) or complement factor 3 (FITC-conjugated goat anti-mouse C3, ICL Lab, OR) were diluted 1:750 and 1:500, respectively, in 1 × PBS and applied over night at room temperature in a humid chamber. After incubation, slides were washed extensively and mounted in 20% glycerol/PBS.