Abstract |
Lupus nephritis is a crucial complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. In this study, we investigated the roles of mouse natural killer T (NKT) cells in lupus nephritis. From 24 weeks of age, NZB/NZW F1 mice were injected with alpha-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) or vehicle once a week for four weeks. In the α-GalCer group, the levels of proteinuria and blood urea nitrogen were significantly lower than those in the vehicle group. The histological evaluation showed a decrease in glomerular immune complex deposits and an alleviation of podocyte injury. The proportion of NKT cells in the mononuclear cell (MNC) fraction in the α-GalCer group was significantly decreased in the liver, kidney, and spleen. The proliferation and cytokine production in α-GalCer-stimulated liver MNCs were markedly diminished in the α-GalCer group (anergy). The IFN-γ production in liver MNCs stimulated by concanavalin A or an anti-CD3 antibody did not differ between the two groups, whereas the IL-4 production was significantly lower in the α-GalCer group. In addition, the IgM production in CpG- oligodeoxynucleotide-stimulated spleen MNCs was significantly lower in the α-GalCer group. These results suggest that α-GalCer suppressed Th2 immune responses in NKT cells and B cell function, thereby slowing the progression of lupus nephritis.
|
Authors | Takahiro Uchida, Hiroyuki Nakashima, Akira Yamagata, Seigo Ito, Takuya Ishikiriyama, Masahiro Nakashima, Shuhji Seki, Hiroo Kumagai, Naoki Oshima |
Journal | Scientific reports
(Sci Rep)
Vol. 8
Issue 1
Pg. 8225
(05 29 2018)
ISSN: 2045-2322 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 29844470
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
Chemical References |
- Galactosylceramides
- Il4 protein, mouse
- Immunoglobulin G
- alpha-galactosylceramide
- Interleukin-4
|
Topics |
- Animals
- B-Lymphocytes
(immunology)
- Disease Progression
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Galactosylceramides
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Immunoglobulin G
(metabolism)
- Interleukin-4
(biosynthesis)
- Kidney
(physiopathology)
- Lupus Nephritis
(drug therapy, immunology, physiopathology)
- Mice
- Natural Killer T-Cells
(immunology)
|