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- Title
Expansion of T follicular helper cells is associated with disease progression in rat experimental membranous nephropathy model.
- Authors
Li Deng; Bishun Deng; Ziling Zhao; Huijie Huang; Xiaowan Wang; Ruimin Tian; Guohua Li; Enyu Liang; Anping Peng; Peifeng Ke; Peng Xu; Min He
- Abstract
Background. T follicular helper (Tfh) cells drive humoral immunity by facilitating B cell responses, but the functional role of Tfh cells in the pathogenesis of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) remains unclear. Objectives. This study aimed to establish a rat experimental membranous nephropathy model, investigate the phenotypic characteristics of Tfh cells, and analyze a clinically significant correlation between Tfh cells. Materials and methods. Passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) rats were induced by immunizing Sprague Dawley rats with anti-Fx1A serum. The frequency of Tfh and B cell subsets was analyzed with flow cytometry (FC). The serum concentration of interleukin-21 (IL-21), the relative mRNA expression levels of IL-21 and B cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6) in spleen mononuclear cells (MNCs), and the kidney infiltration of CD4+ T cells and IL-21 were assessed. The potential correlations among these measures were analyzed. Results. In comparison with the control group, significantly increased percentages of Tfh cells, inducible T cell co-stimulator-positive (ICOS+) Tfh cells, and mRNA expression of Bcl-6 were detected in the spleen of PHN rats. Elevated IL-21 expression was detected in the serum and kidneys. Remarkably, the percentage of splenic ICOS+ Tfh cells was positively correlated with 24 h urine protein concentrations (r = 0.676, p = 0.011) in PHN rats. Conclusions. These data indicate that ICOS+ Tfh cells contribute to development of IMN, and they might be potential therapeutic targets for IMN.
- Subjects
T helper cells; B cell lymphoma; SPRAGUE Dawley rats; T cells; B cells
- Publication
Advances in Clinical & Experimental Medicine, 2024, Vol 33, Issue 8, p889
- ISSN
1899-5276
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.17219/acem/189865