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Liao Z, Yang X, He L, Bai J, Zhou X, Yang J, Niu S, Liu S, Guo J. Cordyceps protein alleviates renal injury by inhibiting T cell infiltration and Th1 cell differentiation in lupus nephritis mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 138:112566. [PMID: 38943968 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112566] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND T cell infiltration and differentiation play a central part in the development of lupus nephritis (LN). Our prior research has indicated that protein, the primary active component of cordyceps (WCP), a traditional Chinese medicine, possesses properties that can enhance renal fibrosis and provide kidney protection. Nonetheless, the connection between WCP and T cell infiltration and differentiation in LN remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE The objective of this research was to assess the immunomodulatory impacts of WCP in LN mice and elucidate the underlying mechanism through in vivo and in vitro investigations. METHODS To investigate the impact and mechanism of WCP in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice, WCP (1.5 g/kg/d), Bailing capsules (BC, 0.75 g/kg/d), and saline in equivalent quantities were administered to the mice over a period of 8 weeks. The therapeutic effects, T cell infiltration and differentiation of WCP on MRL/lpr mice were verified through ELISA, Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) staining, immunofluorescence, Luminex analysis and flow cytometry. The mechanism by which WCP alleviates LN was investigated using tissues of mice, T cells and Mouse Podocyte Clone-5 (MPC-5) cells by transcriptomics, Western blot (WB), and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS We found that WCP improved LN in MRL/lpr mice by reducing urinary protein, creatinine, and serum auto antibodies, increasing complement 3 (C3) level, improving renal immunopathology and downregulating serum cytokines, including IFN-γ, IL-12, and RANTES. Notably, the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the kidney was reduced by WCP. Similarly, the cell transwell co-culturation study showed that the WCP treated MPC-5 cells were weaker in inducing T cell migration. Consistent with this finding, our observations revealed that WCP could inhibit T cell-related chemokine expression in kidney and MPC-5 cells, as well as reduce the levels of TLR4, MYD88, phosphorylated-p38, phosphorylated-ERK, and phosphorylated-JNK. On the other hand, WCP was found to greatly inhibit the Th1 cells differentiation in vivo and in vitro. Cytokine-receptor induced Th1 cell differentiation pathway and PI3K-AKT pathway were the most enriched pathways based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enrichment analysis among different cell groups. Results from RT-qPCR and WB showed that WCP notably reduced the levels of IL-12, p-STAT4, IFN-γ, p-STAT1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT in T cells. CONCLUSION WCP demonstrated positive immunomodulatory effects on LN disease, by decreasing the T cells infiltration through TLR4/MYD88/MAPK signaling pathway and inhibiting Th1 cells differentiation via IL-12-STAT4 and IFN-γ-STAT1 pathways, in addition to the PI3K-AKT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyue Liao
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xingmao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Liying He
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Jing Bai
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xiaotong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Jingyan Yang
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Shuqi Niu
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Sijing Liu
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chengdu, PR China.
| | - Jinlin Guo
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chengdu, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, PR China.
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Chan EYH, Lai FFY, Ma ALT, Chan TM. Managing Lupus Nephritis in Children and Adolescents. Paediatr Drugs 2024; 26:145-161. [PMID: 38117412 DOI: 10.1007/s40272-023-00609-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Lupus nephritis is an important manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, which leads to chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, and can result in mortality. About 35%-60% of children with systemic lupus erythematosus develop kidney involvement. Over the past few decades, the outcome of patients with lupus nephritis has improved significantly with advances in immunosuppressive therapies and clinical management. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of high-level evidence to guide the management of childhood-onset lupus nephritis, because of the relatively small number of patients at each centre and also because children and adolescents are often excluded from clinical trials. Children and adults differ in more ways than just size, and there are remarkable differences between childhood- and adult-onset lupus nephritis in terms of disease severity, treatment efficacy, tolerance to medications and most importantly, psychosocial perspective. In this article, we review the 'art and science' of managing childhood-onset lupus nephritis, which has evolved in recent years, and highlight special considerations in this specific patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Yu-Hin Chan
- Paediatric Nephrology Centre, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
| | - Fiona Fung-Yee Lai
- Paediatric Nephrology Centre, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Alison Lap-Tak Ma
- Paediatric Nephrology Centre, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Tak Mao Chan
- Paediatric Nephrology Centre, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, School of Clinical Medicine, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
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Tsai CY, Li KJ, Shen CY, Lu CH, Lee HT, Wu TH, Ng YY, Tsao YP, Hsieh SC, Yu CL. Decipher the Immunopathological Mechanisms and Set Up Potential Therapeutic Strategies for Patients with Lupus Nephritis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10066. [PMID: 37373215 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most severe complications in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Traditionally, LN is regarded as an immune complex (IC) deposition disease led by dsDNA-anti-dsDNA-complement interactions in the subendothelial and/or subepithelial basement membrane of glomeruli to cause inflammation. The activated complements in the IC act as chemoattractants to chemically attract both innate and adaptive immune cells to the kidney tissues, causing inflammatory reactions. However, recent investigations have unveiled that not only the infiltrating immune-related cells, but resident kidney cells, including glomerular mesangial cells, podocytes, macrophage-like cells, tubular epithelial cells and endothelial cells, may also actively participate in the inflammatory and immunological reactions in the kidney. Furthermore, the adaptive immune cells that are infiltrated are genetically restricted to autoimmune predilection. The autoantibodies commonly found in SLE, including anti-dsDNA, are cross-reacting with not only a broad spectrum of chromatin substances, but also extracellular matrix components, including α-actinin, annexin II, laminin, collagen III and IV, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Besides, the glycosylation on the Fab portion of IgG anti-dsDNA antibodies can also affect the pathogenic properties of the autoantibodies in that α-2,6-sialylation alleviates, whereas fucosylation aggravates their nephritogenic activity. Some of the coexisting autoantibodies, including anti-cardiolipin, anti-C1q, anti-ribosomal P autoantibodies, may also enhance the pathogenic role of anti-dsDNA antibodies. In clinical practice, the identification of useful biomarkers for diagnosing, monitoring, and following up on LN is quite important for its treatments. The development of a more specific therapeutic strategy to target the pathogenic factors of LN is also critical. We will discuss these issues in detail in the present article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Youh Tsai
- Division of Immunology & Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital & College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24352, Taiwan
| | - Ko-Jen Li
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 106319, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Yu Shen
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 106319, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsun Lu
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 106319, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ting Lee
- MacKay Memorial Hospital & MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 25245, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Hung Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Yee-Yung Ng
- Department of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital & College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24352, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Po Tsao
- Division of Holistic and Multidisciplinary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Song-Chou Hsieh
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 106319, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Li Yu
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 106319, Taiwan
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Panagiotopoulos A, Kapsia E, Michelakis I, Boletis J, Marinaki S, Sfikakis PP, Tektonidou MG. Disease modification achievement in patients with lupus nephritis in a real-life setting: mission impossible? RMD Open 2023; 9:rmdopen-2023-003158. [PMID: 37308249 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003158] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A preliminary definition of disease modification (DM) in lupus nephritis (LN) was recently developed focusing on long-term remission and damage prevention, with minimal treatment-associated toxicity. We aimed to further specify aspects of DM criteria in LN, assess DM achievement in a real-world setting and examine potential DM predictors and long-term outcomes. METHODS We collected clinical/laboratory and histological inception cohort data from biopsy-proven LN patients (82% females) with ≥72 months follow-up at two joint academic centres. Specific criteria for 24-hour proteinuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), renal flares and glucocorticoids dose were set at three time frames (months 0-12, 13-60 and 72) to assess DM. In the first model, DM was achieved if patients fulfilled all four criteria at all three time frames (achievers). In the second model, the continued glucocorticoids reduction criterion was excluded. Logistic regression analyses were performed. Possible different trends in DM achievement between past and recent decades were also investigated. RESULTS DM was achieved by 60% of patients, increased to 70% when glucocorticoids excluded from DM criteria. 24-hour proteinuria at 9 months predicted DM achievement (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.97, p=0.03), but none of baseline characteristics. Among patients with >72 month follow-up, non-achievers had worse renal outcomes (flares, >30% proteinuria increase, eGFR decline) than achievers at the end of follow-up (median 138 months). Patients diagnosed between 1992 and 2005 were found to have significantly lower percentages of DM achievement and met less often the glucocorticoids dose reduction criterion in all three time frames, compared with those diagnosed between 2006 and 2016 (p=0.006 and p<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS DM was achieved by only 60% of LN patients in a real-life setting, partly due to lack of glucocorticoids dose target attainment, while DM failure was associated with worse long-term renal outcomes. This may imply limitations in the effectiveness or implementation of current LN treatments, supporting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Panagiotopoulos
- Rheumatology Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, Laiko Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kapsia
- Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, Laiko Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece
| | | | - John Boletis
- Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, Laiko Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece
| | - Smaragdi Marinaki
- Department of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation, Laiko Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- Rheumatology Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, Laiko Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria G Tektonidou
- Rheumatology Unit, First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Joint Academic Rheumatology Program, Laiko Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece
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Mohan C, Zhang T, Putterman C. Pathogenic cellular and molecular mediators in lupus nephritis. Nat Rev Nephrol 2023:10.1038/s41581-023-00722-z. [PMID: 37225921 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00722-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Kidney involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus - lupus nephritis (LN) - is one of the most important and common clinical manifestations of this disease and occurs in 40-60% of patients. Current treatment regimens achieve a complete kidney response in only a minority of affected individuals, and 10-15% of patients with LN develop kidney failure, with its attendant morbidity and considerable prognostic implications. Moreover, the medications most often used to treat LN - corticosteroids in combination with immunosuppressive or cytotoxic drugs - are associated with substantial side effects. Advances in proteomics, flow cytometry and RNA sequencing have led to important new insights into immune cells, molecules and mechanistic pathways that are instrumental in the pathogenesis of LN. These insights, together with a renewed focus on the study of human LN kidney tissue, suggest new therapeutic targets that are already being tested in lupus animal models and early-phase clinical trials and, as such, are hoped to eventually lead to meaningful improvements in the care of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-associated kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Mohan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Ting Zhang
- Division of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chaim Putterman
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.
- Division of Rheumatology and Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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Hua MR, Zhao YL, Yang JZ, Zou L, Zhao YY, Li X. Membranous nephropathy: Mechanistic insights and therapeutic perspectives. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 120:110317. [PMID: 37207447 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Membranous nephropathy (MN) is one of the most common causes of non-diabetic nephrotic syndrome in adults. About 80% of cases are renal limited (primary MN) and 20% are associated with other systemic diseases or exposures (secondary MN). Autoimmune reaction is the main pathogenic factor of MN, and the discovery of autoantigens including the phospholipase A2 receptor and thrombospondin type-1 domain-containing protein 7A has led to new insights into the pathogenesis, they can induce humoral immune responses led by IgG4 makes them suitable for the diagnosis and monitoring of MN. In addition, complement activation, genetic susceptibility genes and environmental pollution are also involved in MN immune response. In clinical practice, due to the spontaneous remission of MN, the combination of supportive therapy and pharmacological treatment is widely used. Immunosuppressive drugs are the cornerstone of MN treatment, and the dangers and benefits of this approach vary from person to person. In summary, this review provides a more comprehensive review of the immune pathogenesis, interventions and unresolved issues of MN in the hope of providing some new ideas for clinical and scientific researchers in the treatment of MN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Ru Hua
- Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Northwest University, No. 777 Xitai Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710000, China
| | - Yan-Long Zhao
- Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Northwest University, No. 777 Xitai Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710000, China
| | - Jun-Zheng Yang
- Guangdong nephrotic drug Engineering Technology Research Center, Institute of Consun Co. for Chinese Medicine in Kidney Diseases, Guangdong Consun Pharmaceutical Group, No. 71 Dongpeng avenue, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
| | - Liang Zou
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Chengdu University, No. 2025 Chengluo Avenue, Chengdu, Sichuan 610106, China
| | - Ying-Yong Zhao
- Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Northwest University, No. 777 Xitai Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710000, China; School of Food and Bioengineering, Chengdu University, No. 2025 Chengluo Avenue, Chengdu, Sichuan 610106, China; School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China.
| | - Xia Li
- Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Northwest University, No. 777 Xitai Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710000, China.
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