Journal article
Novel Molecular Signatures of Peripheral Regulatory T Cells in Kidney Disease Associated With Type 1 Diabetes
Kidney360, Vol.7(3), pp.501-514
2026
PMID: 40811035
Abstract
Background:
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D). T1D and some kidney disorders are often associated with abnormalities in regulatory T cells (Tregs). However, it is unknown if Treg subsets, and their molecular architecture are altered during the onset and progression of DKD in T1D.
Methods:
We addressed this critical knowledge gap by characterising changes in Tregs isolated from 31 participants (10 control, 13 with T1D, and 8 T1D with albuminuria) using flow cytometry, RNA-sequencing, and microRNA profiling.
Results:
We identified that the effector and central memory Tregs were significantly different between groups. Similarly, multiple gene transcripts were also significantly different between groups that also overlapped with other publicly available datasets. Machine-learning based data analyses discovered a set of important microRNAs associated with clinical eGFR values.
Conclusions:
Importantly, our analyses identified two differentially expressed Treg ligand genes (LRRC4B, TGM2), which interacted with the receptors on kidney cells (PTPRD/F/S, ADGRG1) in silico, providing potential mechanistic insights into the role of Tregs in DKD progression. Together, our work supports the yet unappreciated role of Tregs in DKD and opens new research avenues to further consolidate their causal relationship.
Details
- Title
- Novel Molecular Signatures of Peripheral Regulatory T Cells in Kidney Disease Associated With Type 1 Diabetes
- Authors
- Amita Bansal - Australian National UniversitySoon Wei Wong - Flinders Medical CentreWilson K.M. Wong - Western Sydney UniversityGiles Best - Flinders UniversitySteven James - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - NursingSarah Glastras - Royal North Shore HospitalAlexia Pena - The University of AdelaideCheng Xue Qin - Monash UniversitySih Min Tan - Monash UniversityDevy Deliyanti - The University of MelbourneDarling M. Rojas-Canales - Flinders Medical CentreMugdha V. Joglekar (Corresponding Author) - Western Sydney UniversityElif I. Ekinci (Corresponding Author) - Austin Health
- Publication details
- Kidney360, Vol.7(3), pp.501-514
- Publisher
- Wolters Kluwer Health
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.34067/KID.0000000921
- ISSN
- 2641-7650
- PMID
- 40811035
- Copyright note
- This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Nursing
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991164945802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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