Y. Taniguchi et al., Localization of transforming growth factors beta 1 and beta 2 and epidermal growth factor in IgA nephropathy, SC J UROL N, 33(4), 1999, pp. 243-247
Objective: The localization of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1, TGF
-beta 2 and epidermal growth factor (EGF) was investigated in IgA nephropat
hy, and was compared with the severity of histological damage (including tu
bulointerstitial lesions). Materials and methods: The enzyme antibody metho
d was used to stain paraffin-embedded sections of renal tissue from 42 pati
ents with IgA nephropathy (19 males and 23 females). Results: There was a s
ignificant correlation between glomerular positivity for TGF-PI and TGF-bet
a 2 and the severity of histological damage. There was also a significant c
orrelation between positivity for TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 in the tubular
epithelium and tubulointerstitial lesions. In contrast, there was no relati
onship between glomerular positivity for EGF and histological damage, altho
ugh there was a significant correlation between positivity for EGF in the t
ubular epithelium and tubulointerstitial lesions. Conclusions: These findin
gs suggest that TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 may be important in the progressi
on of IgA nephropathy. and that the distribution of EGF may also be a usefu
l marker for the progression of renal damage, including tubulointerstitial
lesions.