CYTOKINE PROFILE IN AUTOSOMAL-DOMINANT POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY-DISEASE

To elucidate the pathogenetic mechanism of renal parenchymal injury in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients, typica lly characterized by renal cystic changes paralleled by interstitial i nflammation and gradual fibrotic changes, the role of selected inflamm atory mediators was evaluated in a group of ADPKD patients with normal glomerular filtration rate. The plasma concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (which may reflect systemic response to inflammation /infection) were increased in the ADPKD patient group. Coupled with de creased urinary excretion of the IL-1 receptor antagonist (which exert s an anti-inflammatory role), these results suggest that even in overt infection free status, the proinflammatory system is more activated a nd anti-inflammatory defence system weakened in ADPKD subjects. Our da ta support the current view that cytokines are candidate contributors to pathogenesis of ADPKD.