CELLULAR-IMMUNITY IN IGA NEPHROPATHY

A comprehensive study on the role of various cytokines in the regulati on of IgA synthesis and progression of glomerular damage in IgA nephro pathy was attempted. Semi-quantitative PCR for IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-gamma, transforming growth factor (TGF )-beta, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, platelet derived growth fa ctor (PDGF) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was perform ed. In parallel studies, protein production of some cytokines was also determined. It was demonstrated that IL-4, IFN-gamma and presumably I L-12 expressed predominantly in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with IgA nephropathy. Some positive correlations between the mRNA expression of these cytokines and the degree of tissue damage wer e observed. It was concluded that these cytokines may play some role i n the alteration of cellular immunity in this disease.