Expression of glomerular heparan sulphate domains in murine and human lupus nephritis

Recently, we identified specific N- and 6-O-sulphated heparan sulphate (HS) domains on activated glomerular endothelial cells. In this study, we evaluated in lupus nephritis the expression of different HS domains on glomerular endothelium and in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM).

The expression of specific glomerular HS domains and the presence of immunoglobulins (Ig) were determined by immunofluorescence staining of kidney sections of patients with nephritis due to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and MRL/lpr lupus mice. The expression/presence of glomerular HS domains and Ig was also evaluated after eluting Ig from renal sections of lupus mice using two elution methods, and in renal sections of lupus mice treated with heparinoids.

Both MRL/lpr mice and patients with lupus nephritis showed a decreased expression of HS in the GBM. The expression of N- and 6-O-sulphated HS domains on glomerular endothelium was decreased in MRL/lpr mice, but increased in SLE patients. MRL/lpr mice had more extensive glomerular Ig deposits than SLE patients. After elution of Ig, the glomerular endothelial expression of N- and 6-O-sulphated HS domains in MRL/lpr mice was recovered and even increased above normal levels, while the expression of HS in the GBM was restored to normal levels. Treatment with heparinoids prevented Ig deposition and preserved the expression of glomerular HS domains at normal levels in lupus mice.

The expression of specific HS domains on glomerular endothelium and in the GBM is changed during lupus nephritis due to masking by Ig deposits and induction of inflammatory N- and 6-O-sulphated HS domains.