Development of Th17-Associated Interstitial Kidney Inflammation in Lupus-Prone Mice Lacking the Gene Encoding STAT-1

Gloria Yiu, Tue K. Rasmussen, Bahareh Ajami, David J. Haddon, Alvina D. Chu, Stephanie Tangsombatvisit, Winston A. Haynes, Vivian Diep, Larry Steinman, James Faix, Paul J. Utz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective Type I interferon (IFN) signaling is a central pathogenic pathway in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and therapeutics targeting type I IFN signaling are in development. Multiple proteins with overlapping functions play a role in IFN signaling, but the signaling events downstream of receptor engagement are unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the roles of the type I and type II IFN signaling components IFN-α/β/ω receptor 2 (IFNAR-2), IFN regulatory factor 9 (IRF-9), and STAT-1 in a mouse model of SLE. Methods We used immunohistochemical staining and highly multiplexed assays to characterize pathologic changes in histology, autoantibody production, cytokine/chemokine profiles, and STAT phosphorylation in order to investigate the individual roles of IFNAR-2, IRF-9, and STAT-1 in MRL/lpr mice. Results We found that STAT-1-/- mice, but not IRF-9-/- or IFNAR-2-/- mice, developed interstitial nephritis characterized by infiltration with retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor γt-positive lymphocytes, macrophages, and eosinophils. Despite pronounced interstitial kidney disease and abnormal kidney function, STAT-1-/- mice had decreased proteinuria, glomerulonephritis, and autoantibody production. Phosphospecific flow cytometry revealed shunting of STAT phosphorylation from STAT-1 to STAT-3/4. Conclusion We describe unique contributions of STAT-1 to pathology in different kidney compartments in a mouse model, and provide potentially novel insight into tubulointerstitial nephritis, a poorly understood complication that predicts end-stage kidney disease in SLE patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1233-1244
Number of pages12
JournalArthritis and Rheumatology
Volume68
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Development of Th17-Associated Interstitial Kidney Inflammation in Lupus-Prone Mice Lacking the Gene Encoding STAT-1'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this