Dexamethasone reduces autoantibody levels in MRL/lpr mice by inhibiting Tfh cell responses.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies have shown that dexamethasone (Dex) reduces the levels of anti-nuclear (ANA) and anti-dsDNA antibodies in MRL/lpr mice (a mouse model of SLE). However, the effect of Dex on T follicular helper (Tfh) cells is less documented. Here, using the MRL/lpr mouse model, we investigated the influence of Dex on Tfh cells and potential underlying mechanisms. The data showed that the proportion of Tfh cells, identified as CD4⁺ CXCR5⁺ ICOS⁺ , CD4⁺ CXCR5⁺ PD-1⁺ or CD4⁺ BCL-6⁺ cells, markedly decreased after treatment with the Dex, in both Balb/c mice and MRL/lpr mice. Dex significantly inhibited IL-21 expression at both the mRNA and the protein levels. Dex also significantly reduced the proportion of

SUBMITTER: Shen C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8419171 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature