Normalized linear counts from NanoString autoimmune profiling panel and summary of statistical analyses

Though dependent on genetic anomalies, clinical manifestations of the human autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) can be triggered by environmental exposures including inhalation toxicants such as crystalline silica dust (cSiO2), tobacco smoke, and ambient air particles.  Prednisone, a glucocorticoid (GC), is a keystone therapy for managing lupus flaring and progression, however, long-term use is associated with many adverse side effects. Here, we characterized the dose-dependent immunomodulation and toxicity of prednisone in a preclinical model that emulates onset and progression of cSiO2-triggered lupus. Two cohorts of 6-wk-old female NZBWF1 mice were fed either control AIN-93G diet or one of three AIN-93G diets containing prednisone at 5, 15, or 50 mg/kg diet which span human equivalent oral doses (HED) currently considered to be low (PL; 5 mg/d HED), moderate (PM; 14 mg/d HED), or high (PH; 46 mg/d HED), respectively. At 8 wk of age, mice were intranasally instille...