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Abstract: TH-PO0667

Germinal Center B Cells Are Increased in the Renal Lymph Nodes in a Murine Model of IgAN

Session Information

Category: Glomerular Diseases

  • 1401 Glomerular Diseases: Mechanisms, including Podocyte Biology

Authors

  • Nihei, Yoshihito, Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
  • Suzuki, Hitoshi, Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
  • Suzuki, Yusuke, Department of Nephrology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
Background

Recently, we identified the target antigens in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), suggesting that IgAN is an autoimmune disease with tissue-specific auto-antibodies (Sci. Adv. 2023, Life Sci. Alliance. 2024, Kidney Int. Reports.2025). Draining lymph nodes of target organs have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Here, we analyzed renal lymph nodes (RLN) of spontaneous IgAN model mice, gddY mice.

Methods

Lymphocytes collected from the RLNs of BALB/c and gddY mice were evaluated using flow cytometry (FCM) at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age. The frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and B cells were analyzed. For the detailed analysis of the B cell, naïve B cells, memory B cells, and germinal center B cells (GCBs) were evaluated. We also analyzed immunoglobulin isotypes of MBCs and GCBs.

Results

The frequency of B cells in RLNs began to increase in gddY mice at 4 weeks of age compared to BALB/c mice (Figure 1), while that of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells did not. GCBs in RLNs were increased significantly at 8 weeks (Figure 2). In gddY mice. The dominant immunoglobulin subtype of GCBs was IgG.

Conclusion

We found that IgG+ GCBs increased in RLNs of gddY mice. Given that earlier papers reported that IgG antibodies against glomerular antigens are present in the sera of patients with IgAN (J. Clin. Invest. 1991, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation.1992), the presence of IgG + GCBs in RLNs further suggests the presence of IgG auto-antibodies against renal antigen. Future analysis of auto-antigens is required.

Funding

  • Government Support – Non-U.S.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)