Objectives: The effects of wild Cordyceps proteins (WCPs) on the gut microbiota and the immune system of MRL/lpr mice were studied.
Methods: The effects of WCP on serum metabolic indexes (total triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) content was measured by a biochemical analyzer. CD4+, CD8+ cells, intestinal inflammation, and intestinal barrier function in MRL/lpr mice were measured by flow cytometry, 16S ribosomal RNA, western blot, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR.
Key Findings: The results showed that after the intervention of WCP, the content of CD4+ cells in lupus mice increased, and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines were down-regulated, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. Secondly, WCP up-regulated the proteins and mRNA levels of ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin. Thirdly, it also increased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and the abundance of Oscillospirales, Lachnospirales, Lachnospiraceae, and Clostridia, as well as negatively regulated the MAPK/NF-кB signaling pathway in lupus nephritis (LN) mice.
Conclusions: These findings suggested that WCP may improve the symptoms of LN by altering immune factors and the intestinal barrier.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jpp/rgad118 | DOI Listing |
J Transl Med
January 2025
Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, 210042, China.
Background: The small intestine harbors a rich array of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) that interact with structural cells to collectively sustain gut immune homeostasis. Dysregulation of gut immune homeostasis was implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases, however, whether this homeostasis is disrupted in a lupus autoimmune background remains unclear.
Methods: We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analyses to elucidate immune and structural milieu in the intestinal epithelium of MRL/Lpr lupus mice (Lpr mice) and MRL/Mpj control mice (Mpj mice).
Pediatr Res
January 2025
Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology and Immunology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus requires glucocorticoids for management. This study investigates how glucocorticoids influence bone in a SLE mouse model, focusing on bone mineral density (BMD), microstructure, and remodeling markers.
Methods: MRL/lpr and C57BL/6 mice were administered dexamethasone or saline as a control for 4-weeks.
Cell Commun Signal
January 2025
Department of Nephrology, National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Institute of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Autophagy and Major Chronic Non-communicable Diseases, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Laboratory Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.
Autophagic activation in immune cells, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and metabolic abnormalities have been reported separately as characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Elucidating the crosstalk among the immune system, commensal microbiota, and metabolites is crucial to understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Emerging evidence shows that basophil activation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of SLE; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Autoimmun
January 2025
Division of Haematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, The Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA; The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA. Electronic address:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by dysregulated B cell activation, autoantibody production, and nephritis. B cell activating factor (BAFF) overexpression enhances autoreactive B-cell survival, driving autoimmunity. BAFF specific belimumab and CD20 specific rituximab antibodies are used for SLE therapy but are not curative, highlighting the need for alternative B cell depletion therapies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEBioMedicine
January 2025
National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China. Electronic address:
Background: Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most common and severe complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Multitarget therapy (MT) achieves a 20% higher complete remission (CR) rate compared to conventional therapy in LN management. Intrigued by its excellent clinical efficacy, we aimed to develop a single-agent therapy with comparable efficacy to MT, offering a simplified treatment regimen.
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