Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonism Improves Nephrotoxic Serum Nephritis by Inhibiting T-Cell Proliferation

Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 analogs such as liraglutide improved albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes in large randomized controlled trials. One of the suspected mechanisms is the anti-inflammatory potential of GLP-1 receptor (Glp1r) agonism. Thus, the anti-inflammatory action of Glp1r agonism was tested in a nondiabetic, T-cell-mediated murine model of nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NTS). The role of Glp1r in NTS was evaluated by using Glp1r^-/- mice or C57BL/6 mice treated with liraglutide. In vitro, murine T cells were stimulated in the presence of liraglutide or vehicle. Glp1r^-/- mice displayed increased renal infiltration of neutrophils and T cells after induction of NTS. Splenocyte proliferation and TH1 cytokine transcription were increased in spleen and lymph nodes of Glp1r^-/- mice. Liraglutide treatment significantly improved the renal outcome of NTS in C57BL/6 mice by decreasing renal infiltration and proliferation of T cells, which resulted in decreased macrophage infiltration. In vitro, T cells stimulated in the presence of liraglutide showed decreased proliferation of TH1 and TH17 cells. Liraglutide blocked glycolysis in T cells and decreased their Glut1 mRNA expression. Together, Glp1r agonism protects mice from a T-cell-dependent glomerulonephritis model by inhibition of T-cell proliferation, possibly by interacting with their metabolic program. This mechanism may explain in part the renoprotective effects of Glp1r agonism in diabetic nephropathy.