Rat renal interstitial fibroblasts affect the TH1/TH2 profile in vitro.
BACKGROUND
T helper 1 (Th1)/T helper 2 (Th2) profile is pivotal in the development of fibrosis. Renal interstitial fibroblasts, which play a central role in the development of renal interstitial fibrosis, have an intimate relation with lymphocytes. However, there is little knowledge of the effect of fibroblasts on the profile of CD4 T-lymphocyte subsets.


METHODS
After coculture with rat renal interstitial fibroblasts, the proportions of Th1 and Th2 cells in CD4 T lymphocytes and the apoptosis rates of the two subsets were detected by flow cytometry. Galectin-9 expression in rat renal interstitial fibroblasts was detected by immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
After 48 h of coculture, rat renal interstitial fibroblasts increased the proportion of Th2 cells, lowering the ratio of Th1/Th2. Meanwhile, interferon-gamma production in Th1 cells was inhibited and interleukin-4 production in Th2 was promoted. After coculture with activated rat renal interstitial fibroblasts for 24 h, apoptosis of Th1 was more highly promoted than that of Th2 cells. In addition, rat renal interstitial fibroblasts induced stronger Th2 cell differentiation than that of Th1 cells in vitro. Rat renal interstitial fibroblasts expressed but did not secrete galectin-9 (an apoptosis-inducing factor for Th1 cells) in vitro and the expression level decreased when cocultured with CD4 T lymphocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
Rat renal interstitial fibroblasts shift the Th1/Th2 profile in vitro, and this may be another pathway by which renal interstitial fibroblasts promote fibrosis.
Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
Zhi-Zhi
ZZ
Xing
Dong-Liang
DL
Zhang
Hai
H
Li
Hui
H
Chen
Ji-Dong
JD
Jia
Zhi-Gang
ZG
Wang
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D037161:Galectins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology*; D051381:Rats; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology
D037161:Galectins; C513912:galectin 9, rat