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Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
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Glomerular cytokine expression in murine lupus nephritis
Kadiombo Anastasie Tshilela1, Hidekazu Ikeuchi2, Takayuki Matsumoto3
1Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22 Showa, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.
Clinical and Experimental Nephrology
|May 20, 2015
Summary
T helper cell (Th) cytokines, particularly TNF-α, are highly expressed in lupus glomeruli. However, blocking TNF-α did not improve kidney damage in lupus-prone mice, suggesting its role is unclear.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis involves aberrant T helper cell (Th) cytokine expression.
- Glomeruli are key targets in lupus inflammation, yet their specific cytokine profiles remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Th cytokine gene expression profiles within isolated glomeruli of lupus-prone mice.
- To explore the correlation between glomerular cytokine expression and kidney damage in SLE.
Main Methods:
- Isolated glomeruli from lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice and controls (MRL/n) were analyzed for cytokine gene expression using real-time PCR.
- Serum cytokine levels were measured via ELISA.
- The effect of TNF-α antagonism (etanercept) on glomerular damage was assessed.
Main Results:
- Glomerular TNF-α expression significantly increased in lupus-prone mice with age.
- Elevated serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17 were observed, alongside decreased IL-4.
- Glomerular TNF-α levels correlated with kidney damage, but etanercept treatment did not ameliorate damage or proteinuria.
Conclusions:
- Th1 cytokines, notably TNF-α, are predominantly expressed in lupus-prone mouse glomeruli.
- The precise pathophysiological role of glomerular TNF-α in lupus nephritis requires further investigation.
