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Isolation of Double Negative αβ T Cells from the Kidney
Published on: May 16, 2014
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Double negative T cells, a potential biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus
Jessy J Alexander1,2, Alexander Jacob1,2, Anthony Chang2
1Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Precision Clinical Medicine
|April 8, 2020
Summary
Unique T cells, called DNeg cells, are elevated in lupus patients and correlate with kidney damage. These DNeg cells directly contribute to kidney injury, suggesting they could be a valuable biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Nephrology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
- There is a critical need for biomarkers to assess organ involvement and develop novel therapies.
- A distinct T cell subset, CD3+CD4-CD8- (DNeg) cells, is elevated in SLE patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of DNeg cells in SLE pathogenesis and kidney injury.
- To determine if DNeg cells can serve as a biomarker for SLE.
- To explore the correlation between DNeg cell levels and kidney function in SLE.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of DNeg cells in peripheral blood of pediatric SLE patients.
- Immunofluorescence analysis of DNeg cell infiltration in lupus kidneys (adult and pediatric).
- Preclinical study using MRL/lpr lupus mouse model to assess DNeg cell function in kidney injury.
Main Results:
- Elevated DNeg cells were found in 53% of pediatric SLE patients, correlating with kidney function (R=0.54).
- Significant DNeg cell infiltration was observed in lupus kidneys.
- DNeg cells were shown to directly facilitate kidney injury in lupus mice, with increased numbers correlating with disease severity (R=0.85).
Conclusions:
- DNeg cells play a direct role in causing kidney dysfunction in SLE.
- DNeg cell levels increase with disease pathology, indicating their potential as a biomarker.
- Targeting DNeg cells may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for SLE-associated kidney disease.
