title: Potential diagnostic biomarkers for IgA nephropathy: a comparative study pre- and post-tonsillectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The proteins BAFF, ST6GALNAC2, C1GALT1, and COSMC in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma levels of IgA1 and galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) are potential biomarkers for IgAN nephropathy. In this study, we comparatively studied the changes of those biomarkers before and after tonsillectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 16 IgAN patients with pre- and post-tonsillectomy. IgAN was diagnosed based on results from analysis of percutaneous renal biopsy tissue. Peripheral blood samples from three patients without renal diseases (non-IgAN), before and after tonsillectomy, and 16 healthy controls were also examined. BAFF, ST6GALNAC2, C1GALT1, and COSMC mRNA levels in PBMCs were detected using real-time PCR. Plasma IgA1 content was measured by ELISA. Gd-IgA1 levels were determined using the VV lectin-ELISA method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BAFF, ST6GALNAC2, C1GALT1, and COSMC mRNA levels and the plasma concentrations of IgA1 and Gd-IgA1 in IgAN patients before tonsillectomy were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (P < 0.05). Tonsillectomy significantly increased the expression of BAFF and ST6GALNAC2, and plasma IgA1 level, while it downregulated that of C1GALT1 and COSMC (P < 0.05). However, in non-IgAN patients, tonsillectomy did not affect the mRNA levels of BAFF, ST6GALNAC2, C1GALT1, and COSMC, plasma IgA1 content and Gd-IgA1 level. Positive correlations were established between BAFF and IgA1 (r = 0.604, P < 0.01) and between ST6GALNAC2 and Gd-IgA1 (r = 0.623, P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tonsillectomy changes the mRNA levels of BAFF, ST6GALNAC2, C1GALT1, and COSMC in PBMCs, as well as the plasma IgA1 level in IgAN patients. BAFF and ST6GALNAC2 might regulate IgA1 secretion and O-glycosylation.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Key Lab of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification in Hunan, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.|Nephrology Department, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ying-Xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Key Lab of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification in Hunan, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Li-Yu
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Key Lab of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification in Hunan, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Key Lab of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification in Hunan, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Fei
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Key Lab of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification in Hunan, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Mu-Yao
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Key Lab of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification in Hunan, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yu-Jing
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Key Lab of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification in Hunan, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wen-Zhe
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Key Lab of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification in Hunan, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Chan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Key Lab of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification in Hunan, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Key Lab of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification in Hunan, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China. ympeng2011@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: You-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005700:Galactosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear; D008297:Male; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000235:genetics; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood*; D012799:Sialyltransferases / Q000235:genetics; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D015415:Biomarkers; C505369:C1GALT1C1 protein, human; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human; C505293:C1GALT1 protein, human; D005700:Galactosyltransferases; C000613741:ST6GALNAC2 protein, human; D012799:Sialyltransferases
keywords: BAFF; IgA nephropathy; IgA1; Tonsillectomy