Single cell RNA sequencing reveals ferritin as a key mediator of autoimmune pre-disposition in a mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a devastating autoimmune disorder characterized by failure of self-tolerance with resultant production of autoreactive antibodies. The etiology of this syndrome is complex, involving perturbations in immune cell signaling and development. The NZBWF1 mouse spontaneously develops a lupus-like syndrome and has been widely used as a model of SLE for over 60 years. The NZBWF1 model represents the F1 generation of a cross between New Zealand Black (NZB) and New Zealand White (NZW) mice. In order to better understand the factors that contribute to the development of autoimmunity, single cell RNA sequencing was conducted using the bone marrow from female NZBWF1 mice prior to the development of overt disease. The results were contrasted with single cell RNA sequencing results from the two parental strains. The expected findings of B cell abundance and upregulation, and evidence of interferon signaling were validated in this model. In addition, several novel areas of inquiry were identified. Most notably, the data showed a marked upregulation of the ferritin light chain across all cell types in the NZBWF1 mice compared to parental controls. This data can serve as a gene expression atlas of all hematopoietic cells in the NZBWF1 bone marrow prior to the development of autoimmunity.