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Liu JJ, Ching J, Wee HN, Liu S, Gurung RL, Lee J, M Y, Zheng H, Lee LS, Ang K, Shao YM, Kovalik JP, Subramaniam T, Sum CF, Sharma K, Kestenbaum BR, Lim SC. Plasma Tryptophan-Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites and Risk for Progression to End-Stage Kidney Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2023; 46:2223-2231. [PMID: 37796480 DOI: 10.2337/dc23-1147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We sought to study the associations between plasma metabolites in the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway and the risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Plasma tryptophan, kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine, kynurenic acid, and xanthurenic acid concentrations were measured in discovery (n = 1,915) and replication (n = 346) cohorts. External validation was performed in Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) participants with diabetes (n = 1,312). The primary outcome was a composite of incident ESKD (progression to estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <15 mL/min/1.73 m2, sustained dialysis, or renal death). The secondary outcome was annual eGFR decline. RESULTS In the discovery cohort, tryptophan was inversely associated with risk for ESKD, and kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio (KTR) was positively associated with risk for ESKD after adjustment for clinical risk factors, including baseline eGFR and albuminuria (adjusted hazard ratios [HRs] 0.62 [95% CI 0.51, 0.75] and 1.48 [1.20, 1.84] per 1 SD). High levels of kynurenic acid and xanthurenic acid were associated with low risks of ESKD (0.74 [0.60, 0.91] and 0.74 [0.60, 0.91]). Consistently, high levels of tryptophan, kynurenic acid, and xanthurenic acid were independently associated with a slower eGFR decline, while a high KTR was predictive of a faster eGFR decline. Similar outcomes were obtained in the replication cohort. Furthermore, the inverse association between kynurenic acid and risk of ESKD was externally validated in CRIC participants with diabetes (adjusted HR 0.78 [0.65, 0.93]). CONCLUSIONS Accelerated catabolism of tryptophan in the kynurenine pathway may be involved in progressive loss of kidney function. However, shunting the kynurenine pathway toward the kynurenic acid branch may potentially slow renal progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Jun Liu
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | | | | | - Sylvia Liu
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Janus Lee
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Yiamunaa M
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Huili Zheng
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Keven Ang
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Yi Ming Shao
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | | | | | - Chee Fang Sum
- Diabetes Center, Admiralty Medical Center, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
| | - Kumar Sharma
- Center for Precision Medicine, The University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The University of Texas Health, San Antonio, TX
| | - Bryan R Kestenbaum
- Kidney Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Su Chi Lim
- Diabetes Center, Admiralty Medical Center, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Heath, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
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Giannoukakis N. Tolerogenic dendritic cells in type 1 diabetes: no longer a concept. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1212641. [PMID: 37388741 PMCID: PMC10303908 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1212641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tDC) arrest the progression of autoimmune-driven dysglycemia into clinical, insulin-requiring type 1 diabetes (T1D) and preserve a critical mass of β cells able to restore some degree of normoglycemia in new-onset clinical disease. The safety of tDC, generated ex vivo from peripheral blood leukocytes, has been demonstrated in phase I clinical studies. Accumulating evidence shows that tDC act via multiple layers of immune regulation arresting the action of pancreatic β cell-targeting effector lymphocytes. tDC share a number of phenotypes and mechanisms of action, independent of the method by which they are generated ex vivo. In the context of safety, this yields confidence that the time has come to test the best characterized tDC in phase II clinical trials in T1D, especially given that tDC are already being tested for other autoimmune conditions. The time is also now to refine purity markers and to "universalize" the methods by which tDC are generated. This review summarizes the current state of tDC therapy for T1D, presents points of intersection of the mechanisms of action that the different embodiments use to induce tolerance, and offers insights into outstanding matters to address as phase II studies are imminent. Finally, we present a proposal for co-administration and serially-alternating administration of tDC and T-regulatory cells (Tregs) as a synergistic and complementary approach to prevent and treat T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Giannoukakis
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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3
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Research advances on targeted-Treg therapies on immune-mediated kidney diseases. Autoimmun Rev 2023; 22:103257. [PMID: 36563769 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The primary function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is blocking the pathogenic immunological response mediated by autoreactive cells, establishing and maintaining immune homeostasis in tissues. Kidney diseases are often caused by Immune imbalance, including alloimmune graft damage after renal transplantation, direct immune-mediated kidney diseases like membranous nephropathy (MN) and anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) glomerulonephritis, as well as indirect immune-mediated ones like Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAVs), IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and lupus nephritis (LN). Treg cells are deficient numerically and/or functionally in those kidney diseases. Targeted-Treg therapies, including adoptive Tregs transfer therapy and low-dose IL-2 therapy, have begun to thrive in treating autoimmune diseases in recent years. However, the clinical use of targeted Treg-therapies is rarely mentioned in those kidney diseases above except for kidney transplantation. This article mainly discusses the newest progressions of targeted-Treg therapies in those specific examples of immune-mediated kidney diseases. Meanwhile, we also reviewed the main factors that affect Treg development and differentiation, hoping to inspire new strategies to develop target Tregs-therapies. Lastly, we emphasize the significant impediments and prospects to the clinical translation of target-Treg therapy. We advocate for more preclinical and clinical studies on target Tregs-therapies to decipher Tregs in those diseases.
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Metabolic signatures of immune cells in chronic kidney disease. Expert Rev Mol Med 2022; 24:e40. [PMID: 36268748 PMCID: PMC9884772 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2022.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Immune cells play a key role in maintaining renal dynamic balance and dealing with renal injury. The physiological and pathological functions of immune cells are intricately connected to their metabolic characteristics. However, immunometabolism in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not fully understood. Pathophysiologically, disruption of kidney immune cells homeostasis causes inflammation and tissue damage via triggering metabolic reprogramming. The diverse metabolic characteristics of immune cells at different stages of CKD are strongly associated with their different pathological effect. In this work, we reviewed the metabolic characteristics of immune cells (macrophages, natural killer cells, T cells, natural killer T cells and B cells) and several non-immune cells, as well as potential treatments targeting immunometabolism in CKD. We attempt to elaborate on the metabolic signatures of immune cells and their intimate correlation with non-immune cells in CKD.
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Ala M, Eftekhar SP. The Footprint of Kynurenine Pathway in Cardiovascular Diseases. Int J Tryptophan Res 2022; 15:11786469221096643. [PMID: 35784899 PMCID: PMC9248048 DOI: 10.1177/11786469221096643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Kynurenine pathway is the main route of tryptophan metabolism and produces several metabolites with various biologic properties. It has been uncovered that several cardiovascular diseases are associated with the overactivation of kynurenine pathway and kynurenine and its metabolites have diagnostic and prognostic value in cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, it was found that several kynurenine metabolites can differently affect cardiovascular health. For instance, preclinical studies have shown that kynurenine, xanthurenic acid and cis-WOOH decrease blood pressure; kynurenine and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid prevent atherosclerosis; kynurenic acid supplementation and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) inhibition improve the outcome of stroke. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) overactivity and increased kynurenine levels improve cardiac and vascular transplantation outcomes, whereas exacerbating the outcome of myocardial ischemia, post-ischemic myocardial remodeling, and abdominal aorta aneurysm. IDO inhibition and KMO inhibition are also protective against viral myocarditis. In addition, dysregulation of kynurenine pathway is observed in several conditions such as senescence, depression, diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), cirrhosis, and cancer closely connected to cardiovascular dysfunction. It is worth defining the exact effect of each metabolite of kynurenine pathway on cardiovascular health. This narrative review is the first review that separately discusses the involvement of kynurenine pathway in different cardiovascular diseases and dissects the underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moein Ala
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Parsa Eftekhar
- Student Research Committee, Health Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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Nguyen HO, Salvi V, Tiberio L, Facchinetti F, Govoni M, Villetti G, Civelli M, Barbazza I, Gaudenzi C, Passari M, Schioppa T, Sozio F, Del Prete A, Sozzani S, Bosisio D. The PDE4 inhibitor tanimilast shows distinct immunomodulatory properties associated with a type 2 endotype and CD141 upregulation. J Transl Med 2022; 20:203. [PMID: 35538539 PMCID: PMC9092691 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03402-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tanimilast is a novel and selective inhaled inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-4 in advanced clinical development for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tanimilast is known to exert prominent anti-inflammatory activity when tested in preclinical experimental models as well as in human clinical studies. Recently, we have demonstrated that it also finely tunes, rather than suppressing, the cytokine network secreted by activated dendritic cells (DCs). This study was designed to characterize the effects of tanimilast on T-cell polarizing properties of DCs and to investigate additional functional and phenotypical features induced by tanimilast. Methods DCs at day 6 of culture were stimulated with LPS in the presence or absence of tanimilast or the control drug budesonide. After 24 h, DCs were analyzed for the expression of surface markers of maturation and activation by flow cytometry and cocultured with T cells to investigate cell proliferation and activation/polarization. The regulation of type 2-skewing mediators was investigated by real-time PCR in DCs and compared to results obtained in vivo in a randomized placebo-controlled trial on COPD patients treated with tanimilast. Results Our results show that both tanimilast and budesonide reduced the production of the immunostimulatory cytokine IFN-γ by CD4+ T cells. However, the two drugs acted at different levels since budesonide mainly blocked T cell proliferation, while tanimilast skewed T cells towards a Th2 phenotype without affecting cell proliferation. In addition, only DCs matured in the presence of tanimilast displayed increased CD86/CD80 ratio and CD141 expression, which correlated with Th2 T cell induction and dead cell uptake respectively. These cells also upregulated cAMP-dependent immunosuppressive molecules such as IDO1, TSP1, VEGF-A and Amphiregulin. Notably, the translational value of these data was confirmed by the finding that these same genes were upregulated also in sputum cells of COPD patients treated with tanimilast as add-on to inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators. Conclusion Taken together, these findings demonstrate distinct immunomodulatory properties of tanimilast associated with a type 2 endotype and CD141 upregulation in DCs and provide a mechanistic rationale for the administration of tanimilast on top of inhaled corticosteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Oanh Nguyen
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Salvi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Tiberio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Facchinetti
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Translational Science, Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Mirco Govoni
- Global Clinical Development, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Gino Villetti
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Translational Science, Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Maurizio Civelli
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Translational Science, Corporate Pre-Clinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy
| | - Ilaria Barbazza
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Carolina Gaudenzi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mauro Passari
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Tiziana Schioppa
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Sozio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Annalisa Del Prete
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvano Sozzani
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. .,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy.
| | - Daniela Bosisio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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Wee HN, Liu JJ, Ching J, Kovalik JP, Lim SC. The Kynurenine Pathway in Acute Kidney Injury and Chronic Kidney Disease. Am J Nephrol 2021; 52:771-787. [PMID: 34753140 PMCID: PMC8743908 DOI: 10.1159/000519811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the major catabolic pathway for tryptophan degradation. The KP plays an important role as the sole de novo nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) biosynthetic pathway in normal human physiology and functions as a counter-regulatory mechanism to mitigate immune responses during inflammation. Although the KP has been implicated in a variety of disorders including Huntington's disease, seizures, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis, its role in renal diseases is seldom discussed. SUMMARY This review summarizes the roles of the KP and its metabolites in acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on current literature evidence. Metabolomics studies demonstrated that the KP metabolites were significantly altered in patients and animal models with AKI or CKD. The diagnostic and prognostic values of the KP metabolites in AKI and CKD were highlighted in cross-sectional and longitudinal human observational studies. The biological impact of the KP on the pathophysiology of AKI and CKD has been studied in experimental models of different etiologies. In particular, the activation of the KP was found to confer protection in animal models of glomerulonephritis, and its immunomodulatory mechanism may involve the regulation of T cell subsets such as Th17 and regulatory T cells. Manipulation of the KP to increase NAD+ production or diversion toward specific KP metabolites was also found to be beneficial in animal models of AKI. Key Messages: KP metabolites are reported to be dysregulated in human observational and animal experimental studies of AKI and CKD. In AKI, the magnitude and direction of changes in the KP depend on the etiology of the damage. In CKD, KP metabolites are altered with the onset and progression of CKD all the way to advanced stages of the disease, including uremia and its related vascular complications. The activation of the KP and diversion to specific sub-branches are currently being explored as therapeutic strategies in these diseases, especially with regards to the immunomodulatory effects of certain KP metabolites. Further elucidation of the KP may hold promise for the development of biomarkers and targeted therapies for these kidney diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jian-Jun Liu
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jianhong Ching
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- KK Research Centre, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Su Chi Lim
- Clinical Research Unit, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Diabetes Centre, Admiralty Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
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Liu Y, Li Z, Wu Y, Jing X, Li L, Fang X. Intestinal Bacteria Encapsulated by Biomaterials Enhance Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 11:620170. [PMID: 33643302 PMCID: PMC7902919 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.620170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human intestine contains thousands of bacterial species essential for optimal health. Aside from their pathogenic effects, these bacteria have been associated with the efficacy of various treatments of diseases. Due to their impact on many human diseases, intestinal bacteria are receiving increasing research attention, and recent studies on intestinal bacteria and their effects on treatments has yielded valuable results. Particularly, intestinal bacteria can affect responses to numerous forms of immunotherapy, especially cancer therapy. With the development of precision medicine, understanding the factors that influence intestinal bacteria and how they can be regulated to enhance immunotherapy effects will improve the application prospects of intestinal bacteria therapy. Further, biomaterials employed for the convenient and efficient delivery of intestinal bacteria to the body have also become a research hotspot. In this review, we discuss the recent findings on the regulatory role of intestinal bacteria in immunotherapy, focusing on immune cells they regulate. We also summarize biomaterials used for their delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilun Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhongmin Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuanyu Wu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiabin Jing
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xuedong Fang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Tang Y, He H, Hu P, Xu X. T lymphocytes in IgA nephropathy. Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:186-194. [PMID: 32509008 PMCID: PMC7271719 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.8673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide, is the main cause of end-stage renal disease. IgAN is characterized by the accumulation of immune complexes in the circulation, which contain abnormal levels of IgA. IgAN primarily results from galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) and Gd-IgA1 deposition in the renal mesangium, causing local proliferation and matrix expansion. Gd-IgA1 has been confirmed as one of the key effectors in the pathogenesis of IgAN, but the origin of Gd-IgA1 is not clear. Recent studies have shown that Gd-IgA1 deposition could be the result of mucosally primed plasma cells and is associated with T cell dysregulation. T cells contribute to the IgA response and play an important role in the development of IgAN. In the present review, the latest discoveries regarding the role of T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of IgAN have been summarized. Understanding these advances will allow novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of IgAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyan Tang
- Department of Nephrology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, P.R. China
| | - Haidong He
- Department of Nephrology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, P.R. China
| | - Pin Hu
- Department of Nephrology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, P.R. China
| | - Xudong Xu
- Department of Nephrology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201199, P.R. China
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