Apolipoprotein E-knockout mice show increased titers of serum anti-nuclear and anti-dsDNA antibodies

► Titers of ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies were higher in ApoE−/− than C57B6/L mice. ► Spleen was greater and splenocyte apoptosis lower in ApoE−/− than B6 mice. ► Level of TLR4 was lower in spleen tissue of ApoE−/− than B6 mice. ► The TLR4 pathway may participate in maintaining the balance of splenocyte apoptosis. ► The TLR4 pathway may participate in antibody production in spleen tissue.