Cutting Edge: IL-23 Receptor Deficiency Prevents the Development of Lupus Nephritis in C57BL/6– lpr/lpr Mice

IL-17-producing T cells infiltrate kidneys of patients with lupus nephritis, and IL-23-treated lymph node cells from lupus-prone mice may transfer disease to Rag1-deficient mice. In this study, we show that IL-23R-deficient lupus-prone C57BL/6-lpr/lpr mice display decreased numbers of CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) cells and IL-17A-producing cells in the lymph nodes and produce less anti-DNA Abs. In addition, clinical and pathology measures of lupus nephritis are abrogated. The presented experiments document the importance of IL-23R-mediated signaling in the development of lupus nephritis and urge the consideration of proper biologics for the treatment of the disease.