Excessive ADAM17 activation occurs in uremic patients and may contribute to their immunocompromised status

INTRODUCTION: We previously reported that fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23)‐klotho signaling plays a role in B cell immunity. Despite high serum levels of FGF23, a decline in immunity is frequently observed in patients on hemodialysis (HD); thus, abnormalities in the FGF23‐klotho signaling pathway in immune cells may occur in these patients. METHODS: We analyzed the number of klotho‐positive cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 10 male and 6 female patients on HD and 5 healthy male subjects using flow cytometry. We analyzed the abundance of cleaved klotho protein in the murine B cell line, A20, and in the serum of HD patients and healthy subjects (HS) using flow cytometry and Western blotting. The serum level of A disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) was measured in HD patients and HS using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The number of klotho‐positive B cells was reduced in HD patients. Serum ADAM17 was responsible for the reduction in klotho, as a specific ADAM17 inhibitor reversed this change. The total serum levels of ADAM17 were similar in HD patients and HS; however, activated ADAM17 was increased in the serum of HD patients. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that abnormal ADAM17 activation could contribute to the immunocompromised status in patients on HD, in line with the reported role of ADAM17 as an anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive factor.