Apigenin ameliorates lupus nephritis by inhibiting STAT3 signaling in CD8+T cells

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by widespread organ and tissue involvement, with lupus nephritis (LN) being one of its most severe complications. Dietary flavonoids, as for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, have shown therapeutic potential in various inflammatory conditions. Apigenin (AP) is one of the most studied phenolics and found in many fruits, vegetables and herbs. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of apigenin on LN.The results of immunohistochemistry and transcriptome analysis showed that AP could inhibit the infiltration of CD8+ cells in renal tissue. Single-cell sequencing public data from LN patients identified cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) as the primary CD8+ T cell subtype in the kidneys, with their differentiation regulated by STAT3. In this study, cell experiments demonstrated that AP can induces apoptosis in CD8+ T cells and reduces their recruitment of macrophages by inhibiting the STAT3/IL-17 signaling pathway.