Th2-biased GATA-3 transgenic mice developed severe experimental peritoneal fibrosis compared with Th1-biased T-bet and Th17-biased RORγt transgenic mice

Exp Anim. 2015;64(4):353-62. doi: 10.1538/expanim.15-0019. Epub 2015 Jul 6.

Abstract

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis is one of the most serious complications of long-term peritoneal dialysis. The pathogenesis of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis has not been elucidated, but several putative factors necessary for the development of peritoneum fibrosis (PF) have been reported. However, the roles of T helper (Th) cells in the progression of PF are unknown. The purpose of this study was to clarify the roles of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells in the progression of PF. T-bet, GATA-3, and RORγt are Th1, Th2, and Th17 lineage commitment transcription factors, respectively. We previously generated Th1-biased (T-bet transgenic (Tg)) mice, Th2-biased (GATA-3 Tg) mice, and Th17-biased (RORγt Tg) mice. In this study, Th1, Th2, Th17-biased, and wild-type mice were administered chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) intraperitoneally and analyzed on day 21. CG-injected GATA-3 Tg mice showed a distended intestinal tract and developed marked thickening of the submesothelial space compared with the other groups. CG-injected GATA-3 Tg mice also showed significant expression of α-SMA positive cells, macrophages, and collagen III in the submesothelium. In contrast, CG-injected T-bet Tg mice only developed mild peritoneal fibrosis. Cytokines analysis in peritoneal fluid showed that IFN-γ was significantly increased in CG-injected T-bet Tg mice and that IL-13 was significantly increased in CG-injected GATA-3 Tg mice. Moreover, intraperitoneal administration of IFN-γ improved PF in GC-injected wild-type mice. Our results suggest that Th2 cells may play roles in the development of experimental PF and that Th1 cells may alleviate the severity of experimental PF.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascitic Fluid / metabolism
  • Chlorhexidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Disease Progression
  • GATA3 Transcription Factor / genetics*
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-13 / metabolism
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 / genetics*
  • Peritoneal Dialysis / adverse effects
  • Peritoneal Fibrosis / chemically induced
  • Peritoneal Fibrosis / etiology
  • Peritoneal Fibrosis / genetics*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / genetics*
  • T-Lymphocytes
  • Th1 Cells / physiology*
  • Th17 Cells / physiology*
  • Th2 Cells / physiology*

Substances

  • GATA3 Transcription Factor
  • Gata3 protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-13
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3
  • T-Box Domain Proteins
  • T-box transcription factor TBX21
  • Interferon-gamma
  • chlorhexidine gluconate
  • Chlorhexidine