title: Immunohistochemical study of tubular epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells in glomerulonephritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In order to assess the role played by tubular epithelial cells (TEC) and interstitial vascular endothelial cells (VEC) in interstitial fibrogenesis in human glomerulonephritis, we studied the expression of markers of activated fibroblasts (α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and vimentin (Vim)) and of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), at the level of these cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied retrospectively 41 renal biopsies from patients with primary and secondary glomerulonephritis [24 males, 17 females, mean age 45.5 ± 12.9 years]. Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies (SMA, Vim, TGFβ) was assessed using a semiquantitative score, that was correlated with biological and histological data (quantified using a scoring system in order to assess active-inflammatory and chronic-sclerotic/fibrotic lesions).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of SMA and Vim as markers of myofibroblasts was found in TECs and VECs. TEC Vim expression correlated with interstitial Vim expression (r = 0.38; p = 0.008), interstitial infiltrate (r = 0.31; p = 0.027), interstitial fibrosis (R = 0.25; p = 0.042), GFR (r = -0.35; p = 0.016), SMA (r = -0.42; p = 0.015), TGFβ (r = 0.25; p = 0.046), and hemoglobin (r = -0.55; p < 0.001). VEC Vim expression showed indirect correlations with interstitial infiltrate (r = -0.32; p = 0.023) and interstitial fibrosis (r = -0.34; p = 0.017).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study reflects the complexity of the involvement of VEC and mainly of TEC in fibrosis. The expression of mesenchymal markers at the tubular cell level (especially Vim) correlates with histological interstitial changes, with the decrease of renal function and more strongly with anemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Emergency County Hospital Timisoara, University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Timisoara , Romania .
authors.forename: Flaviu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bob
authors.forename: Gheorghe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gluhovschi
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Ligia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petrica
authors.forename: Gheorghe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bozdog
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gluhovschi
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Velciov
authors.forename: Florica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gadalean
authors.forename: Romulus
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Timar
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Potencz
authors.forename: Alis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dema
authors.forename: Adalbert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schiller
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014746:Vimentin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C541116:ACTA2 protein, human; D000199:Actins; D015415:Biomarkers; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014746:Vimentin
keywords: Alpha smooth muscle actin; TGFβ; tubular epithelial cells; vascular endothelial cells; vimentin