title: Increased nitric oxide production by T- and B-cells in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.
abstract: The pathogenesis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) remains unclear. To study the role of nitric oxide (NO) in INS, we measured intracellular NO produced by T- and B-cells using a novel fluorescent indicator. Twelve children with INS (mean age 7.3 years; group A-1: in relapse, group A-2: in remission) were enrolled in the study together with 16 children with other renal diseases (9.5 years; group B) and 42 healthy control children (7.7 years; group C). The amount of NO produced by CD3+ cells (T-cells) and CD19+ cells (B-cells) and of plasma NO(x) was measured by flow cytometry and colorimetry, respectively. The average amount of NO produced by CD3+ and CD19+ cells in group A-1 subjects was significantly higher than that produced by these cells in group A-2 and B patients and the healthy controls (group C), respectively (P < 0.01), and it decreased after the patients achieved remission (P < 0.01). Plasma NO(x) levels in group A-1 patients was also highest among the different groups (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in intracellular NO and plasma NO(x) among group A-2, B, and C subjects (P > 0.05). A significant correlation between plasma NO(x) and urinary protein excretion was found only in group A patients and not in group B patients. We conclude that an aberrant immune system may exist not only in T-cells but also in B-cells, and NO may play some role in INS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iharada
authors.forename: Kazunari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.forename: Shoji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hasui
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanda
authors.forename: Toshimasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishiyama
mesh_terms: D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018941:Antigens, CD19; D017252:CD3 Complex; D009569:Nitric Oxide