[Image analysis for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in MRI/lpr mice: effects of Chinese herb medicine]

To clarify the role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on pathogenesis of autoimmune lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr mice and the effects of Chinese herb medicine (stragalin), a computer image analysis system was used to study immunodepositions of ICAM-1, immunoglobulins and C3 in renal tissue sections of the mice. ICAM-1 was found in the mesangial area and deposited along the glomerular capillary walls in MRL/lpr mice. The distribution intensity of ICAM-1, immunoglobulins and C3 were significantly decreased after treatment with stragalin in form of decoction per os in the mice. We found that ICAM-1 might play an important role in pathogenesis of autoimmune lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr mice and Chinese herb medicine has some inhibition effects on immunodepositions in renal tissue of MRL/lpr mice.