Plasticity and heterogeneity of Th17 in immune-mediated kidney diseases.

Plasticity and heterogeneity of Th17 in immune-mediated kidney diseases. J Autoimmun. 2017 Dec 21;: Authors: Krebs CF, Panzer U Abstract Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmatic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis, anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) glomerulonephritis and lupus nephritis are the most common causes of rapid progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) in the Western world. These aggressive forms of autoimmune kidney diseases significantly contribute to end-stage renal disease and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Moreover, patients show significant heterogeneity with respect to clinical outcome and response to therapy. T cell infiltration is a morphological hallmark of RPGN and it is a critical driver of kidney injury. Different CD4+ T cell subsets that are endowed with distinct regulatory and effector functions are involved in this detrimental inflammatory process. In particular, the identification and functional characterization of IL-17-expressing CD4+ Th17 cells have substantially advanced our understanding of organ-specific autoimmunity. In experimental models of crescentic and proliferative GN, including ANCA-associated GN, anti-GBM-GN and lupus nephritis, the Th17/IL-17 axis significantly contributes to renal tissue damage. In patients with ANCA-associated GN or lupus nephritis, IL-17 serum levels correlated with disease activity. Moreover, Th17 cells are present in the kidneys of these patients ...
Source: Journal of Autoimmunity - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: J Autoimmun Source Type: research