Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Isolation of Glomeruli and In Vivo Labeling of Glomerular Cell Surface Proteins
Published on: January 18, 2019
Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in human kidneys with glomerulonephritis
G A Müller1, J Markovic-Lipkovski, C A Müller
1Medical University Clinic, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tübingen, Germany.
Insights
Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is crucial in immune responses. In glomerulonephritis, abnormal ICAM-1 expression on proximal tubular epithelial cells suggests their role in kidney inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a key mediator in immune responses.
- Understanding ICAM-1 expression in renal tissue is vital for diagnosing and treating kidney diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of ICAM-1 in normal and glomerulonephritic human kidneys.
- To compare ICAM-1 distribution with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antigens (DQ, DR, DR/DP, DP).
Main Methods:
- Utilized monoclonal antibodies and indirect immunoperoxidase staining on cryostat kidney sections.
- Examined 15 normal and 112 glomerulonephritic kidney samples.
- Correlated ICAM-1 expression with HLA-DQ, -DR, -DR/DP, and -DP antigen expression.
Main Results:
- In normal kidneys, ICAM-1 was found on Bowman's capsular cells, glomerular cells (endothelial, mesangial), peritubular capillaries, vascular endothelium, and fibroblasts.
- Proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) showed no ICAM-1 expression in normal kidneys.
- Glomerulonephritis kidneys, particularly with interstitial inflammation, frequently exhibited abnormal ICAM-1 expression on PTECs, correlating with aberrant HLA-DQ and -DP antigen expression.
Conclusions:
- ICAM-1 expression in normal kidneys is restricted to specific cell types.
- Aberrant ICAM-1 expression on PTECs in glomerulonephritis, alongside HLA antigen changes, supports their involvement in cell-mediated immune reactions.
- These findings enhance our understanding of kidney inflammation mechanisms in glomerulonephritis.
Abstract:
Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays an important role in immune responses. Expression of this molecule was examined on cryostat sections of 15 normal human and 112 glomerulonephritic kidneys using a specific monoclonal antibody and the indirect immunoperoxidase staining technique. The expression of ICAM-1 on renal structures was compared to that of HLA-DQ, -DR, -DR/DP and -DP antigens. On normal kidneys ICAM-1 was observed on some Bowman's capsular cells and on single glomerular cells which probably represent endothelial and mesangial cells. ICAM-1 was present on peritubular capillaries and on vascular endothelium of large vessels as well as on fibroblasts, whereas no expression of ICAM-1 on proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) was detected. In normal renal tissues the distribution of ICAM-1 was similar to that of HLA-DQ and -DP antigens. In kidneys with different forms of glomerulonephritis especially in association with interstitial inflammation, an abnormal expression of ICAM-1 on PTECs was frequently correlated with aberrant expression of HLA-DQ and -DP antigens. These results further support the hypothesis that PTECs may participate in cell-mediated immune reactions in glomerulonephritis.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
01:29Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
01:28Diabetic Nephropathy