[Expression of MCP-1 in renal tissues of patients with IgA nephropathy]

To investigate the differential expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in renal biopsy tissues of patients with IgA nephropathy, and to analyse the association between these 2 markers and their effect on various pathologic types of IgA nephropathy.

According to pathologic type, 88 renal biopsy tissues of patients with IgA nephropathy were divided into 4 groups:a minimal change group,a mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis group, a focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis group, and a diffused sclerosing glomerulonephritis group. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the in situ expression of MCP-1 and CD68 on renal biopsy tissues. The expression levels were semi-quantified by image analysis and clinical data were collected from the patients.

The differences in glomerular MCP-1 expressions were not statistically significant among all groups, while the tubulointerstitial MCP-1 expressions were statistically different among the 4 groups, with the average scores of 1.43+/-0.60, 5.98+/-0.92, 10.60+/-0.76 and 11.65+/-0.39 for minimal change group, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis group, focal sclerotic glomerulonephritis, and diffused sclerotic glomerulonephritis group, respectively. The tubular and interstitial CD68 scores were 0.75+/-0.71, 5.87+/-0.96, 10.42+/-0.61, and 11.40+/-0.49 for the 4 groups, with significant differences in both MCP-1 and CD68 among the 4 groups. Correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between tubulointerstitial MCP-1 and CD68 (r=0.688, P<0.01). MCP-1 in tubulointerstitial was significantly correlated with 24 h urinary protein excretion(r=0.531, P<0.01).

MCP-1 plays a critical role in macrophage infiltration in the kidney. MCP-1 is associated with the severity of tubulointerstitial damage and clinical prognosis.