Objective To observe and identify the skin alterations of aged TC mice with systemic lupuserythematosus (SLE), and to explore if they can be used as an animal model for studying cutaneous lupus erythematosus.Methods To determine the age of TC mice when skin changes start to occur, and to compare the skin alterations betweenC57BL/6 and TC mice at the same age. Serum levels of anti-double-stranded (ds) DNA antibodies and anti-nuclearantibodies (ANAs) were detected by ELISA. Pathological changes in the mouse skin were detected by hematoxylin andeosin (HE) staining. Results Two-thirds of TC mice developed hair loss and skin ulceration. The lesions first occurred at40 weeks of age. Serum titers of anti-dsDNA and anti-ANA antibodies in TC mice with skin lesions were significantly higherthan those of C57BL/6 mice ( P < 0. 05).Pathological examination observed loss of stratum corneum, interruption in theepithelial layer, and extensive lymphocyte infiltration in the dermid of SLE mice. Conclusion Skin lesions occur in SLEprone TC mice after 40 weeks of age, suggesting that aged TC mice may serve as a useful animal model for studies of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus.