Renal expression of IL-6 and TNFalpha genes in lupus nephritis.
These studies were carried out to examine the presence of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNFalpha in kidneys of patients with lupus nephritis as an indicator of their possible role in its pathogenesis. A total of 19 kidney biopsies from patients with type III or IV lupus nephritis were processed by direct immunofluorescence using monoclonal anti-IL-6 and TNFalpha antibodies. Local expression of these genes was demonstrated both by in situ hybridization and by reverse transcriptase-PCR amplification of total RNA isolated from kidney tissue. Fifty-two percent of the biopsies exhibited IL-6 and TNFalpha deposited along the glomeruli and tubules; in situ expression of these cytokines was demonstrated in 6 biopsies with type IV, and 1 with type III nephritis. Inflammatory cytokines are actively synthesized in the kidneys of patients with lupus nephritis and therefore, may play a role in its pathogenesis.
Herrera-Esparza
R
R
Immunotechnology Unit, CBE, UAZ, Guadalupe Zac, Mexico. herrerar@cantera.reduaz.mx
Barbosa-Cisneros
O
O
Villalobos-Hurtado
R
R
Avalos-Díaz
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D005796:Genes / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha