CXCR3 promotes the production of IgG1 autoantibodies but is not essential for the development of lupus nephritis in NZB/NZW mice

Objective Autoantibody immune complexes and cellular infiltrates drive nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in murine lupus. The chemokine receptor CXCR3 is assumed to promote cellular infiltration of inflamed tissues. Moreover, CXCR3 deficiency ameliorates lupus nephritis in the MRL/MpJ‐ Fas lpr (MRL/ lpr ) mouse model of SLE. Hence, CXCR3 blockade has been suggested as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment...