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Published on: June 13, 2014
Assessment of selected adhesion molecules and lymphocyte subpopulations in children with IgA nephropathy
R Wierciński1, W Zoch-Zwierz, A Stasiak-Barmuta
1Department of Paediatrics, Medical University of Białystok, Poland.
Insights
Children with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) exhibit altered immune cell profiles, including increased CD62L (L-selectin) expression and changes in lymphocyte subpopulations. These findings suggest immune dysregulation in pediatric IgAN.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a common primary glomerulonephritis.
- Understanding immune cell dynamics in pediatric IgAN is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the expression of adhesion molecules and lymphocyte subpopulations in children with IgAN.
- To identify potential immune markers associated with IgAN in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was employed to analyze peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lymphocyte subsets.
- Key adhesion molecules (L-selectin/CD62L, VLA-4/CD49d, ICAM-1/CD54, CTLA-4/CD152) and lymphocyte antigens (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD1656/NK, CD4/CD8 RO+, RA+) were quantified.
- 14 children with IgAN were compared to 20 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Increased expression of L-selectin (CD62L) was observed in children with IgAN compared to controls.
- Significant alterations in lymphocyte populations included an increase in CD8 cells and a decrease in NK (CD1656) cells, leading to a reduced CD4/CD8 ratio.
- Children with proteinuria >1.0 g/24 hours showed an additional decrease in CD4 cell expression.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric IgAN is characterized by distinct changes in peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations, including elevated CD8+ T cells and reduced NK cells.
- Increased L-selectin (CD62L) expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells is a notable finding in children with IgAN.
- The observed immune cell profile alterations may contribute to the pathogenesis of IgAN and could serve as potential biomarkers.
Purpose:
The aim of the study was to assess the expression of selected adhesion molecules on mononuclear cells of peripheral blood and lymphocyte subpopulations in children with IgA nephropathy (IgAN).
Material And Methods:
14 children with IgAN and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. Flow cytometry was used to determine the expression of such adhesion molecules as L selectin (CD62L), VLA-4 integrin (CD49d), intracellular molecule ICAM-1 (CD54) and cytotoxic lymphocyte molecule CTLA-4 (CD152), as well as the lymphocyte antigens: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD1656 (NK), CD4 and CD8 RO+ and RA+.
Results:
The findings revealed that the expression of the adhesion molecules VLA-4 and CTLA-4 did not differ from that of the healthy controls (p > 0.05). However, the expression of CD62L (L-selectin) was increased (p < 0.05). The expression of ICAM-1 was reduced, but not significantly, compared to the control group (p > 0.05). We found a decrease in the expression of NK cells (CD1656) and CD4/CD8 ratio, and an increase in CD8 cells (p < 0.05). In the group of 9/14 children, with proteinuria over 1.0 g/24 hours, a decreased expression of CD4 was additionally found (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The children with IgAN show: 1. Changes in peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations involving an increase in CD8 cells and a decrease in CD1656(NK) cells, a reduction in the CD4/CD8 ratio, and additionally in cases with proteinuria a reduction in CD4 cell count, 2. Increased expression of L-selectin (CD62L) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
