Localization of transforming growth factors beta 1 and beta 2 and epidermal growth factor in IgA nephropathy

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.