title: Imbalance of interleukin-18 and interleukin-18 binding protein in patients with IgA nephropathy implicating renal vasculopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine which induces interferon-γ production and plays a crucial role in immune systems. IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) is a naturally occurring inhibitor of IL-18. The aim was to investigate the involvement of IL-18 and IL-18BP in IgA nephropathy (IgAN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples from 21 IgAN patients and 16 idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN) patients and 32 healthy controls were assayed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the controls, IgAN patients showed significantly higher levels of IL-18 and the increased IL-18/IL-18BP ratio. Despite IL-18 elevation, the levels of IL-18BP did not parallel the increase of IL-18, which resulted in an increased IL-18/IL-18BP ratio. Furthermore, the ratio in patients with renal vasculopathy was significantly increased compared to those without arteriolar lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings provide the first evidence that there is an imbalance of IL-18/IL-18BP ratio in IgAN patients, which may be associated with the pathophysiology of renal vasculopathy.
authors: Chie
authors: C
authors: Shimizu
authors: Koichi
authors: K
authors: Matsumoto
authors: Takayuki
authors: T
authors: Fujita
authors: Yoshinobu
authors: Y
authors: Fuke
authors: Masayoshi
authors: M
authors: Soma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C000589760:IL18 protein, human; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020382:Interleukin-18; C118370:interleukin-18 binding protein