Supplementary Figure 7: A graphical summary of the present study.
From: Atherogenic dyslipidemia promotes autoimmune follicular helper T cell responses via IL-27
Our study demonstrates that atherogenic condition triggers the secretion of IL-27 and IL-6 from CD11b+ dendritic cells in a TLR4-dependent manner. IL-27 activates STAT1 and STAT3 signaling pathway in T cells and increases the numbers of CXCR3+ TFH cells while suppressing TFR cells. These CXCR3+ TFH cells, in turn, stimulate the differentiation of autoreactive B cells into IgG2c-secreting plasma cells, and pathogenic IgG2c autoantibodies exacerbate autoimmune lupus. Thus hyperlipidemia not only induces cardiovascular diseases but also promotes autoimmune lupus.
