Inflammatory Cytokine Neutralizing Antibody Treatment Could Recover Increased Follicular Helper and Follicular Regulatory T Cells in Murine Models of Arthritis
Abstract Objective. We aimed to illustrate the changes of follicular helper (TFH) and follicular regulatory (TFR) cells in rheumatoid arthritis using the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model and clarity the impact of anti-inflammatory treatment on TFH and TFR cells.Methods. We established 10-week-old CIA model and used flow cytometry to analyze the changes of TFH and TFR cells in peripheral blood and spleen at different time points (5w, 7w, 10w,13w). The expression of TIGIT, CD226, ICOS and PD-1 characterizing the functions of TFH and TFR were also analyzed. The function of spleen TFH and TFR cells from CIA was further analyzed. The effects of anti-inflammatory antibody treatments on the subpopulation and function changes of TFH and TFR were also analyzed in CIA mice.Results. The levels of TFH and TFR were significantly increased in spleen and peripheral blood of CIA mice. After treatment, TFH and TFR cells decreased significantly. TIGIT+ and TIGIT+CD226-TFH cells in CIA mouse spleen were elevated and PD-1 and ICOS expression on TFH and TFR cells in the spleen were also significantly increased. The ability of TFH to secrete IL-21 and help B cells, and TFR to secrete IL-10 and inhibit TFH were both enhanced in CIA mouse spleen. After antibody treatment, cell subsets and functions were significantly recovered.Conclusion. In the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, TFH and TFR cells in the germinal center increases and their functions are enhanced. After the treatment by inflammatory factor antibodies, TFH and TFR subsets and their functions can be significantly recovered.