Mast cells, TGF-beta1 and alpha-SMA expression in IgA nephropathy.
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.
Silva
G E B
GE
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Costa
R S
RS
Ravinal
R C
RC
dos Reis
M A
MA
Dantas
M
M
Coimbra
T M
TM
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*
C541116:ACTA2 protein, human; D000199:Actins; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1