Renal expression of galectin-3 in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with nephritis.
The aim of the study is to characterize the expression pattern of galectin-3 (Gal-3) in renal tissues of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis and to determine whether tissue and serum Gal-3 are associated with SLE nephritis. Gal-3 expressions were examined with immunohistochemistry in renal biopsy specimens of 88 patients with SLE nephritis and in five normal specimens. Activity and chronicity indexes and glomerular Gal-3 expressions were analysed in each specimen. Serum Gal-3 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 20 patients with SLE, including 11 with nephritis, and in 50 healthy controls. Glomerular Gal-3 expression was observed in 81.8% (72/88) of patients with SLE nephritis but not in 5 controls. Gal-3 staining was attributed mainly to its cellular expression rather than its deposition, and Gal-3 expression levels were correlated with histologic activity indexes, anti-dsDNA titers, and complement 3 and 4 levels. Serum Gal-3 levels were higher in patients with SLE, particularly in those with nephritis, than in healthy controls, and correlated with anti-dsDNA titers. In conclusion, glomerular Gal-3 expression in renal tissue and serum Gal-3 levels were elevated in patients with SLE nephritis versus healthy controls; moreover, they reflected disease activity. These findings suggest that Gal-3 might contribute to the inflammatory process in SLE.
Kang
E H
EH
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Moon
K C
KC
Lee
E Y
EY
Lee
Y J
YJ
Lee
E B
EB
Ahn
C
C
Song
Y W
YW
D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D037502:Galectin 3; D004247:DNA