Decreased renal expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in lupus nephritis is associated with worse prognosis.
Recent studies suggest that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in the preservation of renal function and may also serve as a useful biomarker in monitoring the progression of lupus nephritis (LN). Here we sought to correlate intrarenal VEGF expression with renal histopathology and prognosis of LN. Biopsy specimens from 35 patients with Class III or IV LN (ISN/RPS categorization) were found to have lower levels of intrarenal VEGF than those found in biopsy tissue taken from 10 donor kidneys sampled at the time of allograft reperfusion. This reduced amount of VEGF mRNA in the patients with LN negatively correlated with glomerular endocapillary proliferation, crescent formation, and a high histologic activity index but was positively associated with increased numbers of urinary podocytes. The level of intrarenal VEGF mRNA accurately predicted the deterioration of renal function in these patients within 12 months. Our study shows that expression of VEGF in renal tissue may serve as a molecular marker of renal damage and may be a predictive factor for short-term loss of kidney function in patients with LN.
Avihingsanon
Yingyos
Y
Renal Division, Lupus Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address: yingyos.a@gmail.com.
Benjachat
Thitima
T
Renal Division, Lupus Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Tassanarong
Adis
A
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasart University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
Sodsai
Pimpayao
P
Renal Division, Lupus Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Kittikovit
Vipawee
V
Renal Division, Lupus Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Pathology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Hirankarn
Nattiya
N
Renal Division, Lupus Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
D000328:Adult; D042683:Angiopoietin-1 / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D050199:Podocytes / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics; D014556:Urine / Q000166:cytology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
C467630:ANGPT1 protein, human; D042683:Angiopoietin-1; D015415:Biomarkers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1