Background Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), the most frequent cause of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide, is an autoimmune disease with complex pathogenesis. In this review, we focus on T cells and summarize knowledge about their involvement in pathophysiology and treatment of IgAN Methods We reviewed the literature for (1) alterations of T cell subpopulations in IgAN, (2) experimental and clinical proofs for T cells’ participation in IgAN pathogenesis, (3) clinical correlations with T cell-associated alterations, and (4) influence of drugs used in IgAN therapy on T cell subpopulations. Results We found that IgAN is characterized by higher proportions of circulatory Th2, Tfh, Th17, Th22 and γδ T cells, but lower Th1 and Treg cells. We discuss genetic and epigenetic makeup that may contribute to this immunological phenotype. We found that Th2, Th17 and Tfh-type interleukins contribute to elevated synthesis of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) and that the production of anti-Gd-IgA1 autoantibodies may be stimulated by Tfh cells. We described the roles of Th2, Th17, Th22 and Treg cells in the renal injury and summarized correlations between T cell-associated alterations and clinical features of IgAN (proteinuria, reduced GFR, hematuria). We detailed the impact of immunosuppressive drugs on T cell subpopulations and found that the majority of drugs have nonoptimal influence on T cells in IgAN patients. Conclusions T cells play an important role in IgAN pathogenesis and are correlated with its clinical severity. Clinical trials with the drugs targeting the reported alterations of the T-cell compartment are highly desirable.
At the moment it is unknown to what extent the impaired function of T lymphocytes in ESRD patients depends on uremia, and to what extent on hemodialysis (HD) procedure. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate percentages of T lymphocyte subpopulations ex vivo, plasma concentrations of IL12p70, TNF, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8 cytokines and selected proliferation parameters of in vitro activated T lymphocytes in HD patients before and after single HD procedure using flow cytometry. We demonstrated that the percentage of CD8+ cells ex vivo was decreased while the CD4+/CD8+ ratio was increased after HD procedure. Also, there was significant decrease in the percentage of CD8+HLA-DR+, CD8+CD69+ and CD8+CD95+ cells after HD. At the same time, an increase in the percentage of CD4+CD95+ cells was observed after HD. From all analyzed cytokines, only the concentration of IL-8 was significantly decreased after HD procedure. A single HD session enhanced proliferation capacity of CD4+ cells but not CD8+ cells in vitro by increasing number of cell divisions and percentage of dividing cells. Our results show that a single hemodialysis can have immunomodulatory effect on HD patients and may contribute to the state of immune deficiency observed in patients with ESRD.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.