[HTML][HTML] The proteoglycan biglycan regulates expression of the B cell chemoattractant CXCL13 and aggravates murine lupus nephritis

K Moreth, R Brodbeck, A Babelova… - The Journal of …, 2010 - Am Soc Clin Investig
K Moreth, R Brodbeck, A Babelova, N Gretz, T Spieker, J Zeng-Brouwers, J Pfeilschifter…
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2010Am Soc Clin Investig
CXCL13 is a key B cell chemoattractant and marker of disease activity in patients with SLE;
however, the mechanism of its induction has not been identified yet. Here, we have shown
that the proteoglycan biglycan triggers CXCL13 expression via TLR2/4 in macrophages and
dendritic cells. In vivo, levels of biglycan were markedly elevated in the plasma and kidneys
of human SLE patients and lupus-prone (MRL/lpr) mice. Overexpression of soluble biglycan
in MRL/lpr mice raised plasma and renal levels of CXCL13 and caused accumulation of B …
CXCL13 is a key B cell chemoattractant and marker of disease activity in patients with SLE; however, the mechanism of its induction has not been identified yet. Here, we have shown that the proteoglycan biglycan triggers CXCL13 expression via TLR2/4 in macrophages and dendritic cells. In vivo, levels of biglycan were markedly elevated in the plasma and kidneys of human SLE patients and lupus-prone (MRL/lpr) mice. Overexpression of soluble biglycan in MRL/lpr mice raised plasma and renal levels of CXCL13 and caused accumulation of B cells with an enhanced B1/B cell ratio in the kidney, worsening of organ damage, and albuminuria. Importantly, biglycan also triggered CXCL13 expression and B cell infiltration in the healthy kidney. Conversely, biglycan deficiency improved systemic and renal outcome in lupus-prone mice, with lower levels of autoantibodies, less enlargement of the spleen and lymph nodes, and reduction in renal damage and albuminuria. This correlated with a marked decline in circulating and renal CXCL13 and a reduction in the number of B cells in the kidney. Collectively, our results describe what we believe to be a novel mechanism for the regulation of CXCL13 by biglycan, a host-derived ligand for TLR2/4. Blocking biglycan-TLR2/4 interactions might be a promising strategy for the management of SLE and other B cell–mediated inflammatory disease entities.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation