Fig. 4: B cells relieve lupus autoimmunity in MRL/lpr mica by IL-22.

In all, 10 × 10⁶ ex vivo-expanded B cells or PBS control with or without 2.5 µg/g anti-IL-22 antibodies were injected intravenously into MRL/lpr mice weekly for 4 weeks. a Serum anti-ds-DNA antibody IgM level was analyzed by ELISA. b Serum anti-ds-DNA antibody IgG level was analyzed by ELISA. c Serum IgM level was analyzed by ELISA. d Serum IgG level was analyzed by ELISA. e Twenty-four-hour urine protein level was analyzed by ELISA. f Kidney inflammation was analyzed by H&E staining (left) and the renal scores of MRL/lpr mice (right). g Spleen photographs of mice with different treatments (left). Spleen weight of mice with different treatments (right). h Inguinal lymph nodes photographs of mice with different treatments (left). Lymph node weights of mice with different treatments (right). i CD4⁺IL-17⁺ Th17 cells in the spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry. j CD4⁺RORγt⁺ cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. k CD4⁺IL-22⁺ Th22 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. l CD4⁺c-Maf⁺ cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. m IL-17 level in serum was analyzed by ELISA. n IL-22 level in serum was analyzed by ELISA. n = 4 for each group. The results shown are representative of three independent experiments. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001.