Vγ6⁺γδT Cells Participate in Lupus Nephritis in MRL/Lpr Mice

γδT cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The study aims to investigate the abundance of γδT cells in MRL/lpr mice.

MRL/lpr mice were used as lupus models, while C3H/HeJ mice served as normal controls. The abundance of γδT cells in different organs was examined by flow cytometry. Plasma double-stranded DNA antibody levels, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urinary protein levels were measured. Renal histopathology was observed via H&E staining. The correlations between the abundance of γδT cells and lupus manifestations were analyzed.

Compared with C3H/HeJ mice, the number of γδT cells and Vγ6⁺γδT cell subset in the peripheral blood of MRL/lpr mice was significantly reduced. However, in the kidney, the number of γδT cells and Vγ6⁺γδT cell subset was significantly increased. Additionally, the number of Vγ6⁺γδT cells in the kidney was positively correlated with the urinary protein level. The number of IFN-γ⁺Vγ6⁺γδT cells in the kidney was positively correlated with urinary protein level.

In MRL/lpr mice, it is likely that peripheral γδT cells, especially the Vγ6 subset, infiltrate the kidney and secrete IFN-γ, which contributes to the development of lupus nephritis.