Glomerular epithelial CD44 expression and segmental sclerosis in IgA nephropathy

CD44 is a marker of activated parietal epithelial cells (PECs), and is expressed in glomerular visceral epithelial cells (VECs) during development of segmental sclerosis. We explored the significance of glomerular epithelial CD44 expression in relation to segmental sclerosis in patients with mild IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

A total of 126 cases of IgAN were divided into three groups based on glomerular morphology: normal (group A, n = 30), mild mesangial proliferation without segmental sclerosis or synechia (SS) (group B, n = 31), or mild mesangial proliferation with SS (group C, n = 65). The number of CD44-expressing PECs and VECs was counted in each glomerulus and expressed as the mean number per case.

CD44 staining was positive in VECs in 59.5 %, in PECs in 79.4 % and in both cell types in 56.3 % of cases. The number of CD44⁺ PECs or VECs was significantly higher in group C than in groups A or B. Cases with >1 CD44⁺ cell (PECs and VECs) per glomerulus were associated with increased urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPCr) at last follow-up. The presence of >1 CD44⁺ VEC/glomerulus was associated with increased UPCr and serum creatinine levels, and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) even in the absence of SS at the time of biopsy.

CD44 was expressed in PECs and VECs in association with SS in IgAN. Increased CD44 expression in VECs is a sign of active glomerular injury and dysfunction in these patients.