GDF15 Suppresses Lymphoproliferation and Humoral Autoimmunity in a Murine Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), a divergent member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, has been associated with acute and chronic inflammatory conditions including autoimmune disease, i.e., type I diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Still, its role in systemic autoimmune disease remains elusive. Thus, we studied GDF15-deficient animals in Fas-receptor intact (C57BL/6) or deficient (C57BL/6lpr/lpr) backgrounds. Further, lupus nephritis (LN) microdissected kidney biopsy specimens were analyzed to assess the involvement of GDF15 in human disease. GDF15-deficiency in lupus-prone mice promoted lymphoproliferation, T-, B- and plasma cell-expansion, a type I interferon signature, and increased serum levels of anti-DNA autoantibodies. Accelerated systemic inflammation was found in association with a relatively mild renal phenotype. Splenocytes of phenotypically overall-normal Gdf15−/− C57BL/6 and lupus-prone C57BL/6lpr/lpr mice displayed increased in vitro lymphoproliferative responses or interferon-dependent transcription factor induction in response to the toll-like-receptor (TLR)-9 ligand CpG, or the TLR-7 ligand Imiquimod, respectively. In human LN, GDF15 expression was downregulated whereas type I interferon expression was upregulated in glomerular- and tubular-compartments versus living donor controls. These findings demonstrate that GDF15 regulates lupus-like autoimmunity by suppressing lymphocyte-proliferation and -activation. Further, the data indicate a negative regulatory role for GDF15 on TLR-7 and -9 driven type I interferon signaling in effector cells of the innate immune system.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: GDF15 Suppresses Lymphoproliferation and Humoral Autoimmunity in a Murine Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ; volume:14 ; number:6 ; year:2022 ; pages:673-689 ; extent:17 ; Journal of innate immunity ; 14, Heft 6 (2022), 673-689 (gesamt 17)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Lorenz, Georg ; Ribeiro, Andrea ; von Rauchhaupt, Ekatharina ; Würf, Vivian ; Schmaderer, Christoph ; Cohen, Clemens D. ; Vohra, Twinkle ; Anders, Hans-Joachim ; Lindenmeyer, Maja ; Lech, Maciej

Further information

• DOI: 10.1159/000523991
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022121423523110479890
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:20 AM CEST