IL-23 Limits the Production of IL-2 and Promotes Autoimmunity in Lupus.

ABSTRACT: The IL-23/IL-17 pathway is important in multiple autoimmune diseases, but its effect on lupus pathology remains unclear, with opposing trials in murine models of the disease. In this study, we show a disease activity-related upregulation of serum IL-23 and IL-23 receptor in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as compared with healthy controls. When added in SLE T cell in vitro cultures, IL-23 induced IL-17 and limited IL-2 production, whereas T follicular helper and double negative (DN) T cells significantly expanded. To further dissect the role of IL-23 in the expression of autoimmunity and related pathology, we generated IL-23 receptor-deficient MRL.lpr mice. These IL-23R^-/-MRL.lpr mice displayed attenuated lupus nephritis with a striking decrease in

SUBMITTER: Dai H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5526729 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature