The immunoregulatory axis (programmed death-1/programmed death ligand-1) on CD4+ T cells in lupus nephritis: association with vitamin D and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 12.

Abstract

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most serious complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Multiple immunomodulatory mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of LN. A deep understanding of the immunopathogenesis of LN is essential to identify optimal molecular targets, as most immunotherapeutic algorithms are still based on unselective drugs. The study aimed to elucidate the possible association of vitamin D deficiency with the programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) axis and inflammatory response in patients with LN, as well as the relationship between the PD-1/PD-L1 axis and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 12 (CXCL12). Flow cytometry was used to determine the frequencies of CD279 (PD-1) and CD274 (PD-L1) in the peripheral CD3+CD4+ cell population of persons with LN. Furthermore, ELISA was used to detect serum CXCL12 and vitamin D concentrations. A distinct decrease of PD-1 and a significant increase of PD-L1 was demonstrated in patients with LN compared with either SLE patients with no LN or healthy controls. The PD-1/PD-L1 axis was negatively correlated with different disease parameters. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were more prevalent in patients with LN than in controls, being significantly associated with disease activity and inversely associated with the PD-1/PD-L1 expression. Moreover, CXCL12 was negatively correlated with the PD-1/PD-L1 axis and vitamin D concentration. The findings suggest an involvement of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in lupus nephritis, which might serve as a potential highly selective therapeutic target that is more effective but less toxic. In addition, restoring adequate vitamin D levels in lupus nephritis could be a possible simple measure to control inflammatory immune responses.

• Authors: Sara Youssry, Amina Hussein, Mai Moaaz
• Journal: Microbiology and immunology (Microbiol Immunol) Vol. 65 Issue 9 Pg. 392-399 (Sep 2021) ISSN: 1348-0421 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 34081342 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021 The Societies and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Chemical References

• B7-H1 Antigen
• CD274 protein, human
• CXCL12 protein, human
• Chemokine CXCL12
• PDCD1 protein, human
• Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
• Vitamin D

Topics

• B7-H1 Antigen
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
• Chemokine CXCL12
• Humans
• Immunity
• Lupus Nephritis
• Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
• Vitamin D