Background
B7-H4 is a newly identified B7 family negative co-stimulate molecule, the expression and function of B7-H4, in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN) is still unclear.
Objectives
To investigate the expression of B7-H4 in patients with LN and the function of renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs)-associated B7-H4 in the regulation of T cell activation in vitro.
Methods
90 LN patients, 3 acute kidney injury patients and 20 healthy donors were referred. Disease activity was assessed by SLEDAI scores. The expression of B7-H4 on kidney biopsies from patients with LN and acute kidney injury was measured using immunohistochemistry. In vitro, B7-H4 antigen on cultured HK-2 cells with or without stimulation by inflammatory factors was detected by flow cytometry. After co-cultured with HK-2 and purified CD4+T cells labeled with CFSE for 72 hours, T cell proliferation was detected by flow cytometry. The soluble B7-H4 in sera of LN patients and healthy donors were analyzed using ELISA.
Results
B7-H4 antigen expressed on tubular epithelium, the percentage of B7-H4 positive expression renal tubules from LN patients (45±16) % was lower than acute kidney injury patients (86±11) % (P<0.05). In vitro, the expression of B7-H4 on HK-2 cells was elevated upon stimulation by inflammatory factors, mixed lymphocyte reactions revealed that HK-2-related B7-H4 inhibits proliferation of co-cultured T cells. The soluble B7-H4 in serum of LN patients (61.45±29.38ng/ml) was not significantly lower than healthy controls (70.57±27.24ng/ml), but stronger association of serum soluble B7-H4 with serum creatinine levels was observed in LN patients (r=0.353, p=0.005). In addition, the mean concentration of soluble B7-H4 level in high activity group (74.40±31.95 ng/ml) was significantly higher than those in moderate group (51.89±21.79 ng/ml) (p=0.017)
Conclusions
B7-H4 molecules may play a role in the progress of LN, a clear understanding of its functional roles may further elucidate the pathogenesis of this disease.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared
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