LPS-Treated Podocytes Polarize Naive CD4(+) T Cells into Th17 and Treg Cells

AIM: Our study is aimed at investigating whether Lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) treated podocytes could polarize naive CD4(+) T cells into different subsets in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Podocytes and mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were first cultured with 25 μg/ml LPS for 6 hours, respectively. Then, naive CD4(+) T cells were cocultured with the LPS-treated podocytes or BMDCs at a ratio of 1 : 1 or 1 : 1 : 1. After 48 hours, we collected the suspended cells and supernatant from all groups to measure T helper (Th)17 cells, regulatory T (Treg) cells, and cytokine concentration. RESULTS: We observed the expression of CD80 and major histocompatibility complex class II molecule (MHC II) in podocytes but did not found the upregulation of them after treating podocytes with LPS. LPS-treated podocytes could induce naive CD4(+) T cells to Th17 cells and Treg cells with a higher ratio of Th17/Treg than BMDCs. Possible interaction between podocytes and BMDCs may exist in the induction process of Th17 cells and Treg cells. CONCLUSION: Our study proved that CD80 and MHC II were constitutively expressed in podocytes but not upregulated by LPS. LPS-treated podocytes could polarize naive CD4(+) T cells into Th17 and Treg cells and affect the Th17/Treg balance and may incline to cause a Th17 response.