Open AccessBaicalin ameliorates lupus autoimmunity by inhibiting differentiation of Tfh cells and inducing expansion of Tfr cells
Author(s) -
Ji Yang,
Xue Yang,
Jie Yang,
Ming Li
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
cell death and disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.482
H-Index - 111
ISSN - 2041-4889
DOI - 10.1038/s41419-019-1315-9
Subject(s) - baicalin , foxp3 , lupus nephritis , systemic lupus erythematosus , autoimmunity , immunology , pi3k/akt/mtor pathway , chemistry , cancer research , pharmacology , antibody , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , signal transduction , immune system , high performance liquid chromatography , disease , chromatography
Baicalin is a natural compound isolated from Chinese herb, which has been reported as an anti-inflammatory drug. Here, we demonstrated that Baicalin treatment could reduce urine protein, inhibit anti-ds-DNA antibody titers, and ameliorate lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice. Baicalin inhibited Tfh cell differentiation and IL-21 production, but promoted Foxp3 + regulatory T cell differentiation including part of follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells. Intravenous injection of Baicalin-induced Foxp3 + regulatory T cells could relieve nephritis, inhibit Tfh cell differentiation and IL-21 production. Baicalin inhibited mTOR activation, reduced mTOR agonist-mediated Tfh cell expansion and increased Tfr cells. These data suggest that Baicalin attenuates lupus autoimmunity by up- and downregulating the differentiation of Tfr cells and Tfh cells, respectively. Baicalin and ex vivo expanded Foxp3 + regulatory T cells are promising therapeutics for the treatment of lupus.