Dysregulated LIGHT expression on T cells mediates intestinal inflammation and contributes to IgA nephropathy

Abstract

Whether and how T cells contribute to the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) has not been well defined. Here, we explore a murine model that spontaneously develops T cell-mediated intestinal inflammation accompanied by pathological features similar to those of human IgAN. Intestinal inflammation mediated by LIGHT, a ligand for lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTbetaR), not only stimulates IgA overproduction in the gut but also results in defective IgA transportation into the gut lumen, causing a dramatic increase in serum polymeric IgA. Engagement of LTbetaR by LIGHT is essential for both intestinal inflammation and hyperserum IgA syndrome in our LIGHT transgenic model. Impressively, the majority of patients with inflammatory bowel disease showed increased IgA-producing cells in the gut, elevated serum IgA levels, and severe hematuria, a hallmark of IgAN. These observations indicate the critical contributions of dysregulated LIGHT expression and intestinal inflammation to the pathogenesis of IgAN.