Variants in a Cluster of Type I Interferon Genes on Chr 7 are Linked to Naive B cell Activation in Female BXD2 Mice

We quantified interactions of sex and genetics on the development of B-cell pathogenesis and autoantibodies in the BXD2 murine model of lupus and mapped a major effect locus to chromosome (Chr) 7 that modulates pathogenesis using a cohort of backcross progeny (BXD2 x C57BL/6) x BXD2, 36 females and 33 males). Sex was the key factor and the percentage of Tbet+CD11c+ IgD+CD27? activated naive B cells (aNAV) was higher in females compared to males.