CXCL13 blockade attenuates lupus nephritis of MRL/lpr mice

The chemokine CXC ligand 13 protein (CXCL13) is reported to closely related to the disease activity and severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), moreover, the level of CXCL13 was markedly raised in kidney tissues of lupus nephritis (LN) patients. The aim of the present study was to explore whether the blockade of CXCL13 has therapeutic effects on murine LN. MRL/lpr mice received 50 μg anti-CXCL13 neutralizing antibody or isotype IgG by intraperitoneal injection everyday for six weeks, and renal damage of each group was determined. Our results showed that the blockade of CXCL13 significantly reduced urine protein, serum creatinine, and dramatically attenuated renal pathology injury. Treatment with anti-CXCL13Ab also reduced serum anti-dsDNA level, renal immune complex deposition as well as inflammatory cytokines secretion. Meanwhile, Th17/Treg ratio in spleens of MRL/lpr mice was significantly decreased by the blocking of CXCL13. These findings suggested that CXCL13 may be a promising target for the therapy of LN.