title: Increased production of interleukin 4 in children with simple idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.
abstract: Sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 42 children with simple idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) aged from 1.5 to 14 years and 28 age and sex-matched healthy children. The levels of IgE in serum and interleukin 4 (IL-4) in supernatant of PHA-activated PBMC were tested by ELISA. A significantly high incidence of allergic diseases was noted in INS children and their first-degree relatives, and there was a close association between atopy and INS. Besides, the levels of IgE and IL-4 were increased in nephrotic state (P < 0.001 both). IgE normal and IL-4 slightly lower in remission state (P < 0.2, P < 0.01 respectively). A positive correlation was noticed between IL-4 and IgE, and between IL-4 and 24-hour proteinuria (r = 0.472, r = 0.562; P < 005, P < 0.01 respectively). These showed a close association between atopy and INS. Both IL-4 and IgE, the important mediators in atopy, showed abnormal change in patients. The increased IL-4 production of T cells might account for the elevated serum IgE level. IL-4 may have a pathogenetic role in INS, but it still remains speculative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, First Hospital, Beijing Medical University.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: X W
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E