Effect of the absence of interleukin-12 on mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis induced by habu snake venom.
BACKGROUND
Interleukin-12 (IL12) participates in the pathophysiology of various experimental types of progressive glomerulonephritis, but its role in acute mesangial glomerulonephritis (AMG) induced by habu snake venom (HSV) has not been determined. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the absence of IL12 on AMG induced by HSV.


METHODS
AMG was induced in IL12 knockout (IL12-/-) and C57Bl/6 (IL12+/+) mice by a single i.v. administration of HSV. Vehicle was used in control animals. Mice were studied after 3, 7, and 14 days (D3, D7, and D14).


RESULTS
After treatment with HSV, IL12+/+ and -/- mice developed focal glomerular lesions, but groups of both lineages showed no statistical difference concerning albuminuria, serum creatinine, histopathology, number of cells by glomerular tuft, and glomerular tuft area. Compared to IL12+/+ mice, IL12-/- mice showed lower scores of glomerular desmin expression on D7 [1.55 (1.32; 1.65) vs. 1.12 (1.07; 1.22); p < 0.01] and D14 [1.60 (1.55; 1.75) vs. 1.20 (1.15; 1.20); p < 0.001], respectively, and lower scores of glomerular alpha-SMA expression on D14 [0.30 (0.21; 0.38) vs. 0.16 (0.26; 0.36); p < 0.001], respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The absence of IL12 reduced the activity of mesangial cells, but did not modify the course of HSV-induced AMG in mice.
Vieira Neto
Osvaldo Merege
OM
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
Russo
Eloísa M
EM
Costa
Roberto S
RS
Coimbra
Terezila M
TM
Dantas
Márcio
M
D000818:Animals; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D015432:Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D017841:Trimeresurus
D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D018664:Interleukin-12