title: Mast cells, TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA expression in IgA nephropathy.
abstract: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a kidney disease with a varying renal prognosis. Recently, many studies have demonstrated that renal alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and transforming growth factor (TGF-beta1) expression, as well interstitial mast cell infiltrates could represent a prognostic marker in several renal diseases. The aim of our study was to analyze the prognostic value of mast cell, TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA expression in IgAN. A survey of the medical records and renal biopsy reports of 62 patients with a diagnosis of IgAN followed-up from 1987 to 2003 was performed. The mean follow-up time was 74.7 +/- 50.0 months. The immunohistochemical studies were performed using a monoclonal antibody anti-human mast cell tryptase, a polyclonal antibody anti-human TGF-beta1, and a monoclonal antibody anti-human alpha-SMA. An unfavorable clinical course of IgAN was related to interstitial mast cell infiltrates and alpha-SMA expression in the tubulointerstitial area. Expression of glomerular TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA, and interstitial TGF-beta1 is not correlated with clinical course in IgAN. In conclusion, the increased number of mast cells and higher alpha-SMA expression in the tubulointerstitial area may be predictive factors for the poor prognosis of patients with IgAN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: G E B
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Ravinal
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: dos Reis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dantas
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Coimbra
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C541116:ACTA2 protein, human; D000199:Actins; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1