title: Involvement of transglutaminase-2 in pathological changes in renal disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transglutaminase (Tg)-2 is shown to be related to renal fibrosis. However, its roles in human kidney disease have not been fully studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using immunohistochemistry, we examined Tg-2 expression in renal biopsy specimens from 22 patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and correlated the intensity of Tg-2 staining with clinical and histopathological parameters. We compared the distribution and intensity of Tg-2 staining with those of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In normal human kidneys, Tg-2 staining was not significant. In IgAN kidneys, glomerular Tg-2 staining correlated with serum creatinine (S-Cr), creatinine clearance (Ccr), urinary protein excretion, glomerular sclerosis, and mesangial cell proliferation. Tubulointerstitial Tg-2 correlated with S-Cr, Ccr, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, urinary beta(2)-microglobulin, and tubulointerstitial injuries. Tg-2 staining in the vicinity of vascular poles of glomeruli preceded the development of mesangial lesions, and was more remarkable in cases with renal impairment. The distribution and intensity of Tg-2 staining were not consistent with those of TGF-beta staining. In glomerular crescents, Tg-2 staining was remarkable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study showed a correlation between Tg-2 expression and renal function and pathological changes. Tg-2 expression in the vicinity of vascular poles was notable because that may be an initial marker of glomerular injury.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan. ryota.ikee@tokushukai.jp
authors.forename: Ryota
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ikee
authors.forename: Shuzo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Noriaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hemmi
authors.forename: Takamitsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saigusa
authors.forename: Tamehachi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Namikoshi
authors.forename: Muneharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Imakiire
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Shigenobu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Soichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D011503:Transglutaminases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins