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[Effects of dexamethasone on CTLA-4 expression and apoptosis in lymphocytes obtained from children with mesangial
Feng-Ying Wang1, Si-Guang Lu, Rong-Hua Luo
1Department of Pediatrics, Tai'an City Central Hospital, Tai'an, Shangdong 271000, China. wfy6699@163.com
Objective:
The pathogenesis of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) and mechanisms of glucocorticoid (GC) resistance have not been fully identified. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is an important inhibitor of T-lymphocyte activation. The objective of the study is to investigate the CTLA-4 expression and apoptosis in lymphocytes of children with MsPGN and the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on the CTLA-4 expression and apoptosis.
Methods:
Blood samples were collected from 36 children with MsPGN and 30 healthy children. CTLA-4 expression in in vitro cultured lymphocytes with or without Dex treatment was measured by flow cytometry following direct immune fluorescene. The rate of apoptosis in the lymphocytes was evaluated by annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide staining.
Results:
The CTLA-4 expression and apoptosis in lymphocytes from children with MsPGN were significantly lower than those in the healthy control children in the absence or presence of Dex treatment (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between CTLA-4 expression and apoptosis in lymphocytes (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
Abnormal CTLA-4 expression may participate in the pathogenesis of MsPGN and be one of mechanisms of GC resistance.
Insights
Children with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) show lower cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) expression and apoptosis. This suggests CTLA-4 may contribute to MsPGN pathogenesis and glucocorticoid resistance.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
Context:
- Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) pathogenesis and glucocorticoid (GC) resistance mechanisms remain unclear.
- Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), a T-lymphocyte activation inhibitor, plays a role in immune regulation.
Purpose:
- To investigate CTLA-4 expression and lymphocyte apoptosis in pediatric MsPGN.
- To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone (Dex) on CTLA-4 expression and apoptosis in MsPGN lymphocytes.
Summary:
- Children with MsPGN exhibited significantly lower CTLA-4 expression and apoptosis in lymphocytes compared to healthy controls.
- Dex treatment did not alter this difference, but a positive correlation between CTLA-4 expression and apoptosis was observed.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that reduced CTLA-4 expression may be implicated in MsPGN pathogenesis.
- Abnormal CTLA-4 expression could be a contributing factor to GC resistance in MsPGN.
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