CD4 subsets in IgA nephropathy

A Kashem1, F Yamauchi, N Yano

  • 1Division of Nephrology and Metabolism, Tokai University Department of Internal Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.

CD45RA+ (2H4+) and CD45RA-(CD29, 4B4+) antigenic expressions, recognized as a suppressor inducer and a helper inducer, respectively, on CD4+ and T alpha 4+ cells (Fc alpha receptor bearing CD4 T cells) were measured by three color flow cytometry in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The 4B4+ subsets of CD4 and T alpha 4 T cells were increased significantly in the patient group compared with the control group. The level of the 2H4+ subset did not differ between the two groups. No significant correlation was observed between the increase in the 4B4+ subset and disease severity, as estimated by measuring the proteinuria, levels of serum creatinine and immunoglobulins (Igs) or renal tissue damage. It was concluded that 4B4+ CD4+ and 4B4+ T alpha 4+ subsets might be involved in the mechanism of immunopathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.