Rat renal interstitial fibroblasts affect the TH1/TH2 profile in vitro

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Fibrosis Research

Background:

• The balance between T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cells is crucial in fibrosis development.
• Renal interstitial fibroblasts are key players in renal interstitial fibrosis and interact with lymphocytes.
• The impact of fibroblasts on CD4 T-lymphocyte subset profiles remains largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of rat renal interstitial fibroblasts on the differentiation and apoptosis of CD4 T-lymphocyte subsets.
• To explore the role of galectin-9 in fibroblast-mediated T-cell modulation.

Main Methods:

• Coculture of rat renal interstitial fibroblasts with CD4 T lymphocytes.
• Flow cytometry to assess Th1/Th2 proportions and apoptosis rates.
• Immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and ELISA to detect galectin-9 expression.

Main Results:

• Fibroblast coculture increased Th2 cell proportion and decreased the Th1/Th2 ratio.
• Interferon-gamma production by Th1 cells was inhibited, while interleukin-4 production by Th2 cells was promoted.
• Th1 cell apoptosis was enhanced more than Th2 cell apoptosis.
• Fibroblasts induced greater Th2 than Th1 cell differentiation in vitro.
• Fibroblasts expressed galectin-9, an apoptosis-inducing factor for Th1 cells, with decreased expression upon coculture.

Conclusions:

• Rat renal interstitial fibroblasts induce a shift in the Th1/Th2 profile in vitro.
• This fibroblast-mediated Th1/Th2 skewing represents a potential mechanism contributing to renal interstitial fibrosis.