Microarray studies of gene expression in circulating leukocytes in kidney diseases

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Renal tissue mRNA acquisition for gene expression profiling is challenging in kidney diseases.
• Circulating leukocytes are implicated in the onset, progression, and severity of many renal diseases.
• Leukocytes provide sufficient mRNA for molecular analysis, enabling investigation of their disease involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate genomewide mRNA expression profiles in circulating leukocytes from patients with various renal diseases.
• To identify disease-specific gene expression patterns in leukocytes.
• To compare in vivo leukocyte gene expression with in vitro activated leukocytes to understand pathogenic mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Systematic study of genomewide expression profiles using Affymetrix high-density gene chip arrays.
• Isolation and analysis of circulating leukocytes from patients with ANCA disease, IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
• In vitro activation of leukocytes to mimic pathogenic events and comparison with in vivo expression data.

Main Results:

• Clustering of expressed genes unique to each individual renal disease group was observed.
• Significant gene expression changes were identified in circulating leukocytes of patients with renal diseases.
• Comparison of in vitro and in vivo data suggests potential parallels in pathogenic events.

Conclusions:

• Genomewide expression profiling of circulating leukocytes is a feasible approach for characterizing molecular changes in renal diseases.
• Distinct leukocyte gene expression signatures exist for different renal conditions.
• Further research can elucidate the role of leukocyte gene expression in kidney disease pathogenesis.