T-CELL SUBSETS, INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR EXPRESSION AND PRODUCTION OF INTERLEUKIN-2 IN MINIMAL CHANGE NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

This study was designed to investigate T-lymphocyte subsets interleuki n-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression and IL-2 production in minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). Peripheral blood T-lymphocytes and IL-2R ex pression were analysed using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD25 monoclonal antibodies with flow cytometry. IL-2 prod uction was determined by enzyme immunoassay, Ten children with MCNS in relapse and in remission were evaluated. Thirteen healthy children se rved as controls. The patients in relapse demonstrated a moderate decr ease in the total absolute lymphocyte counts and CD8(+) T-lymphocytes compared with controls (P < 0.05) and had a greatly increased IL-2R ex pression in freshly isolated, unstimulated peripheral lymphocytes comp ared with patients in remission and controls. While this was not stati stically significant, IL-2R expression on cultured lymphocytes stimula ted with phytohaemagglutinin was significantly elevated in relapse com pared with those in remission and controls (P < 0.05). IL-2 production did not correlate well with IL-2R expression and there was no signifi cant difference between the groups. Our results suggest that T-cell su bset changes and high IL-2R expression on peripheral lymphocytes may i ndicate the presence of stimulated T-cell populations in MCNS which co uld contribute to the immunopathogenesis.