The Role of Cytokine in the Lupus Nephritis

Figure 1

p38 MAPK plays an essential role in the lupus nephritis in MRL-𝐹𝑎𝑠^𝑙𝑝𝑟 mice. (a) p38 MAPK inhibitor ameliorates kidney injury in MRL-𝐹𝑎𝑠^𝑙𝑝𝑟 mice. (b) The number of CD11c⁺ cells and CD11c⁺ CCR7⁺ mature phenotype was decreased by the inhibition of p38 MAPK in the kidney. (c) The transcripts of TNF-α were reduced by the administration of p38 MAPK inhibitor. ((d) and (e)) p38 MAPK is central for the production of IL-12 and IL-23 on DCs in MRL-𝐹𝑎𝑠^𝑙𝑝𝑟 mice.

(a) Kidney pathology

(b) DCs infiltration

(c) Kidney TNF-α transcripts

(d) DCs IL-12 secretion

(e) DCs IL-23 secretion