title: Genetically determined interferon-gamma production influences the histological phenotype of lupus nephritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To clarify whether the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) gene (IFNG) is associated with the histological phenotype of lupus nephritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed microsatellite polymorphisms located within the first intron of the IFNG gene to determine the genotypes of patients with lupus nephritis WHO class IV (n=24), patients with WHO class V (n=12) and healthy controls (n=61). We used flow cytometric detection of intracellular cytokines to identify CD4(+) T cells producing IFN-gamma. Production of IFN-gamma by peripheral blood mononuclear cells after stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin was evaluated with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of the IFNG allele 114 was significantly greater in WHO class V patients than in WHO class IV patients. Furthermore, the IFNG 114 +/+ genotype was more frequent in WHO class V than in WHO class IV patients. The level of IFN-gamma and the percentage of IFN-gamma-producing CD4(+) T cells were lower in individuals with genotype 114 +/+ than in individuals with genotype 114 -/-.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IFN-gamma gene is associated with the histological phenotype in lupus nephritis.
authors: Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Miyake
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Nakashima
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Akahoshi
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Inoue
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Nagano
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Tanaka
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Masutani
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Hirakata
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Gondo
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Otsuka
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Harada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D010641:Phenotype; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D004247:DNA