Possible pathologenic role of interleukin-5 and eosino cationic protein in Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis.
BACKGROUND
The mechanism for the onset of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis is unknown. In order to identify the pathogenesis of nephritis, laboratory findings and serum cytokines between Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) patients without nephritis and with nephritis were investigated.


METHODS
We enrolled 32 patients who had been diagnosed with HSP from January 1993 to December 1998. These patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted 12 patients without nephritis and group 2 consisted 20 patients with nephritis. We evaluated laboratory findings such as eosinophil counts, serum IgE, eosino cationic protein (ECP), and serum cytokine (interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13 interferon-gamma and tumor necrotic factor-alpha) concentrations between both groups.


RESULTS
At the acute phase, serum IL-5 and ECP concentrations in group 2 were higher than those in group 1 (59.4 +/- 32.7 pg/mL vs. 10.8 +/- 12.8 pg/mL, P < 0.05, 24.3 +/- 5.1 microg/L vs. 8.9 +/- 4.2 microg/L, P < 0.05, respectively). Serum IL-4 concentrations at the acute phase in group 1 were higher than those in group 2 (40.2 +/- 21.5 pg/mL vs. 10.7 +/- 5.4 pg/mL, P < 0.01). In group 2, serum IL-5 concentrations at the acute phase were higher than those at recovery phase.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that IL-5 and eosinophil activation may be one of the factors involved in the mechanism for onset of nephritis.
Kawasaki
Yukihiko
Y
Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan. tomo@fmu.ac.jp
Hosoya
Mitsuaki
M
Suzuki
Hitoshi
H
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009393:Nephritis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
D016207:Cytokines; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein