B Cell Activating Factor (BAFF) Is Required for the Development of Intra-Renal Tertiary Lymphoid Organs in Experimental Kidney Transplantation in Rats
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
Authors: Steines, Louisa; Poth, Helen; Herrmann, Marlene; Schuster, Antonia; Banas, Bernhard; Bergler, Tobias
Abstract
Intra-renal tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) are associated with worsened outcome in kidney transplantation (Ktx). We used an anti-BAFF (B cell activating factor) intervention to investigate whether BAFF is required for TLO formation in a full MHC-mismatch Ktx model in rats. Rats received either therapeutic immunosuppression (no rejection, NR) or subtherapeutic immunosuppression (chronic rejection, CR) and were sacrificed on d56. One group additionally received an anti-BAFF antibody (CR + AB). Intra-renal T (CD3(+)) and B (CD20(+)) cells, their proliferation (Ki67(+)), and IgG(+) plasma cells were analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Formation of T and B cell zones and TLOs was assessed. Intra-renal expression of TLO-promoting factors, molecules of T:B crosstalk, and B cell differentiation was analyzed by qPCR. Intra-renal B and T cell zones and TLOs were detected in CR and were associated with elevated intra-renal mRNA expression of TLO-promoting factors, including CXCL13, CCL19, lymphotoxin-beta, and BAFF. Intra-renal plasma cells were also elevated in CR. Anti-BAFF treatment significantly decreased intra-renal B cell zones and TLO, as well as intra-renal B cell-derived TLO-promoting factors and B cell differentiation markers. We conclude that BAFF-dependent intra-renal B cells promote TLO formation and advance local adaptive alloimmune responses in chronic rejection.
Effect of whey protein isolate on the stability and antioxidant capacity of blueberry anthocyanins: A mechanistic and in vitro simulation study
FOOD CHEMISTRY
Authors: Zang, Zhihuan; Chou, Shurui; Tian, Jinlong; Lang, Yuxi; Shen, Yixiao; Ran, Xulong; Gao, Ningxuan; Li, Bin
Abstract
The processing stability and antioxidant capacity of blueberry anthocyanins (ANs) in the presence of whey protein isolate (WPI) were examined. WPI was found to enhance both the stability and antioxidant activity of ANs during processing and simulated in vitro digestion, especially at a concentration of 0.15 mgmL(-1). Fluorescence and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy showed that ANs were primarily stabilized by hydrophobic forces between WPI and malvidin-3-O-galactoside (M3G), the major anthocyanin monomer. Circular dichroism and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the structure of WPI changed and the microenvironments of certain amino acid residues were modulated by non-covalent binding to M3G; furthermore, fewer alpha-helices and more beta-sheets were formed. Molecular docking studies revealed that WPI, especially immunoglobulin (IgG), contributed the most to ANs stability via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic forces according to molecular docking scores ( - 141.30 kcal/mol). These results provided an important fundamental basis for improving the stabilities of ANs in milk systems.