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Renal expression of interleukin-2 receptor mRNA in patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis
D A Jenkins1, D R Wojtacha, P Swan
1University Department of Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract:
We studied paraffin sections of renal biopsies from 7 patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis (CGN) by in situ hybridisation, to detect sites of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) mRNA expression. Frozen sections from a further patient with CGN were studied by immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody to CD25, to detect IL-2R protein. Positive control sections were taken from biopsies of acute cellular renal transplant rejection and negative controls from biopsies of membranous glomerulonephritis. No autoradiographic signal was detected in negative controls. IL-2R mRNA expression was seen in rejected transplants and in sections from 4 to 7 patients with CGN. Expression was seen in cortical interstitial cells, renal tubular epithelial cells, cells within glomerular crescents and in one glomerulus at the margin of Bowman's capsule. Tubular cell expression of IL-2R protein was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. We have confirmed that IL-2R mRNA expression occurs locally within the kidneys in CGN and have identified expression in tubular epithelial cells. The results suggest that local activation of immunocompetent cells occurs in the kidney and may be of significance in the pathogenesis of CGN.
Insights
Interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) mRNA expression occurs locally in the kidneys of patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis (CGN). This finding in tubular epithelial cells suggests local immune cell activation is important in CGN pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Crescentic glomerulonephritis (CGN) is a severe kidney disease.
- The role of local immune responses in CGN pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the local expression of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) mRNA and protein in renal biopsies from CGN patients.
- To determine if IL-2R expression occurs within the kidney tissue itself.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization was used to detect IL-2R mRNA in paraffin-embedded renal biopsy sections from 7 CGN patients.
- Immunohistochemistry with an anti-CD25 antibody was performed on frozen sections from one CGN patient to detect IL-2R protein.
- Positive controls included renal transplant rejection biopsies; negative controls included membranous glomerulonephritis biopsies.
Main Results:
- IL-2R mRNA expression was detected in renal biopsies from 4 out of 7 CGN patients.
- Expression was observed in cortical interstitial cells, renal tubular epithelial cells, and cells within glomerular crescents.
- IL-2R protein expression was confirmed in tubular cells.
Conclusions:
- IL-2R mRNA and protein are expressed locally within the kidneys in CGN.
- The presence of IL-2R in tubular epithelial cells suggests their involvement in the inflammatory process.
- These findings indicate local activation of immunocompetent cells within the kidney, potentially contributing to CGN pathogenesis.
