[Renal gene expression of renin and transforming growth factor Beta 1 in children with glomerulonephritis]

Increase of renal expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) gene caused by activation of the local renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis (GN). The aim of the present study was to measure the expression of renin and TGF-beta 1 genes (own modification of the RT-PCR method) in the isolated renal glomeruli or in the homogenates of renal biopsy specimens in children with various types of glomerulonephritis. The study enrolled 13 children with glomerulonephritis and 3 boys with Wilm's tumour (control group). The expression of the studied genes was presented using arbitrary units defined as multiplicity of the GAPDH gene. No significant difference was found in expression of mRNA renin in the biopsy specimens of the kidney between GN group and control group. Expression of the TGF-beta 1 gene was found in biopsy specimens in all patients from the control group, and only in one GN child, the sole one who was not treated with converting-enzyme inhibitors. No transcripts of the studied genes were found in all RNA samples obtained from the renal glomeruli using the microdissection method. The RT-PCR method applied in the present study allows evaluation of renal expression of renin and TGF-beta 1 genes. The authors would like to point out that storage of biopsy specimens at -80 degrees C would not prevent the total degradation of RNA during microdissection.