Tubular B7-1 expression parallels proteinuria levels, but not clinical outcomes in adult minimal change disease patients.
B7-1 is thought to play a pathogenic role in minimal-change disease (MCD). Recently, however, doubts have arisen regarding the role of B7-1 expression in MCD. Therefore, we aimed to identify the presence and clinical significance of B7-1 expression in MCD patients. The study participants included 28 adult MCD patients for whom kidney specimens were available. The intensity of B7-1 expression was assessed by two independent specialists. We analysed the association between the intensity of B7-1 expression and clinicopathological variables. No B7-1 expression in the glomeruli was observed in any of the 28 patients. Unexpectedly, however, 75.0% of the patients exhibited tubular B7-1 expression, with 35.7% demonstrating weak positive expressions and 39.3% demonstrating strong positive expressions. The level of proteinuria significantly increased as the intensity of tubular B7-1 expression increased. We also found trends of increasing blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels with increased intensity of tubular B7-1 expression. However, we could not observe definite differences in long- and short-term clinical outcomes depending on the intensity of tubular B7-1 expression. In conclusion, B7-1 was expressed in renal tubular cells but not in glomeruli in adult MCD patients. The intensity of tubular B7-1 expression paralleled proteinuria levels, but not clinical outcomes.
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Postgraduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji General Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sung Woo
SW
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
Seon Ha
SH
Baek
Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
Jin Ho
JH
Paik
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
Sejoong
S
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Postgraduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
Ki Young
KY
Na
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Postgraduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea.|Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
Dong-Wan
DW
Chae
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
Ho Jun
HJ
Chin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000378:metabolism*; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009402:Nephrosis, Lipoid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D015415:Biomarkers