Increased frequency of PD-1hiCXCR5- T cells and B cells in patients with newly diagnosed IgA nephropathy
Xin Wang, Tao Li, Rui Si, Jinyun Chen, Zhihui Qu, Yanfang Jiang
Abstract
Abstract Recent research has identified a population of PD-1 hi CXCR5 − ‘peripheral helper’ T (Tph) cells that simulate plasma cell differentiation by interactions between IL-21 and SLAMF5. However, the alteration of circulating Tph and CD138 + B in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) remains poorly understood. Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure the frequency of circulating PD-1 hi CXCR5 − T cells and CD138 + B cells in 37 patients with IgAN and 23 healthy controls (HCs). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 24 h urinary protein and serum cytokine concentrations were measured. The percentage of different subsets of circulating PD-1 hi CXCR5 − T cells and CD138 + B cells were significantly higher in patients with IgAN compared to HCs. Pretreatment, the percentage of different subsets of circulating PD-1 hi CXCR5 − T cells and CD138 + B cells were negatively correlated with eGFR, the percentage of circulating CD138 + B cells was positively correlated with 24-h urinary protein concentration, and the percentage of circulating PD-1 hi CXCR5 − , CD28 + and ICOS + T cells. Posttreatment, the percentage of different subsets of circulating PD-1 hi CXCR5 − T cells and CD138 + B cells and serum IL-21 concentration were significantly reduced. Different subsets of circulating PD-1 hi CXCR5 − T cells contribute to the progression and pathogenesis of IgAN by regulating the differentiation of CD138 + B cells through a combination of surface molecules.