title: Elevated levels of fractalkine expression and accumulation of CD16+ monocytes in glomeruli of active lupus nephritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fractalkine (Fkn) is a chemokine that affects cells expressing its receptor, CX3CR1, including CD16-positive (CD16+) monocytes/macrophages (CD16+ Mos). The relationship of levels of glomerular Fkn expression and infiltration by CD16+ Mos with the severity and diversity of glomerular lesions in human lupus nephritis is not known.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of variables observed in biopsy specimens.
  
  
  METHODS
  88 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Histological class and severity of lupus nephritis according to the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society and clinicopathologic factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Outcome variables are assays related to the degree of glomerular Fkn expression and CD16+ Mo infiltration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistological grading of Fkn staining, number of CD16+ Mos, and messenger RNA levels of Fkn and CD16 in glomeruli.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with proliferative lupus nephritis (class III and IV glomeruli) showed significantly greater glomerular Fkn expression and CD16+ Mo counts than those with other classes. Infiltrating CD16+ Mos within glomeruli expressed CX3CR1. Moreover, glomerular Fkn expression significantly correlated with the histopathologic activity index and CD16+ Mo counts, and CD16+ Mo counts significantly correlated with serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, complement (CH50), and anti-DNA antibody; estimated glomerular filtration rate; and urinary protein excretion. Glucocorticoid therapy had a tendency to decrease both glomerular Fkn expression and CD16+ Mo counts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only frozen biopsy specimens (from 49 patients) were analyzed for the evaluation of glomerular Fkn expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Disease activity and proliferative glomerular lupus nephritis lesions are associated with the glomerular Fkn expression and CD16+ Mo accumulation.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan.
authors.forename: Shuhei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshimoto
authors.forename: Kimihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakatani
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iwano
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Asai
authors.forename: Ken-ichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Samejima
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakan
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terada
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akai
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shiiki
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nose
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saito
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054428:Chemokine CX3CL1; D020523:Chemokines, CX3C / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: C515538:CX3CL1 protein, human; D054428:Chemokine CX3CL1; D020523:Chemokines, CX3C; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D017452:Receptors, IgG