Formation of kidney specific tertiary lymphoid structures during the initiation of anti-dsDNA antibodies and development of lupus nephritis-the role of IL-7 and IL-7R

Abstract

Tertiary lymphoid structures are accumulation of lymphocytic cells that may occur in many organs. These structures bear a resemblance to spleen and lymph nodes which are so called secondary lymphoid organs. The formation of such structures can aggravate diseases. These structures have been shown to occur in the kidney when anti-dsDNA antibodies are produced. The development of TLS seems to occur early in the disease before the development of lupus nephritis. In this study the expression of IL7 and IL7R in the kidney of (NZBxNZW) F1 mice and expression in spleen and LNs were examined using different methods like ELISA, immunoblotting and gene expression analysis. The results show that there is some difference in expression between the organs and the different age groups of the mice.