2. Academic Validation
  3. Baicalin ameliorates lupus autoimmunity by inhibiting differentiation of Tfh cells and inducing expansion of Tfr cells

Baicalin ameliorates lupus autoimmunity by inhibiting differentiation of Tfh cells and inducing expansion of Tfr cells

  • Cell Death Dis. 2019 Feb 13;10(2):140. doi: 10.1038/s41419-019-1315-9.
Ji Yang 1,  Xue Yang 2 3,  Jie Yang 4,  Ming Li 5
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Dermatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. [email protected].
  • 2 Division of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
  • 3 Institute of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
  • 4 Blood Engineering Lab, Shanghai Blood Center, Shanghai, China.
  • 5 Department of Dermatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. [email protected].
PMID: 30760702 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1315-9
Abstract

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.

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