Interleukin-33 Exacerbates IgA Glomerulonephritis in Transgenic Mice Overexpressing B Cell Activating Factor

Abstract

Background The cytokine IL-33 is an activator of innate lymphoid cells 2 (ILC2s) in innate immunity and allergic inflammation. B cell activating factor (BAFF) plays a central role in B cell proliferation and differentiation, and high levels of this protein cause excess antibody production, including IgA. BAFF-transgenic mice overexpress BAFF and spontaneously develop glomerulonephritis that resembles human IgA nephropathy. Methods We administered IL-33 or PBS to wild-type and BAFF-transgenic mice. After treating Rag1- deficient mice with IL-33, with or without anti-CD90.2 to preferentially deplete ILC2s, we isolated splenocytes, which were adoptively transferred into BAFF-transgenic mice. Re..