Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood

Lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood were examined in 34 patients with nephrotic syndrome [27 with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), 7 with significant lesions] and 10 normal children. The investigations were done at the onset of disease before administering corticosteroids (n = 34), during the subsequent remission (n = 27), and the first relapse (n = 12). The proportions of T cell subsets (CD3, CD4 and CD8) were determined by immuno-alkaline phosphatase staining; interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2 R) positive cells, natural killer (NK) cells and B cells were studied by indirect immunofluorescence. No significant differences were found in the proportion of CD3, CD4, CD8 and IL-2 R positive cells in patients with MCNS as compared to controls. An increased proportion of NK and B cells was not specific to MCNS and was detected even in those with significant renal lesions. Our findings suggest that T lymphocyte subsets in MCNS are similar to those in normal children.