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Renal expression of galectin-3 in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with nephritisDivision of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea The aim of the study is to characterize the expression pattern of galectin-3 (Gal-3) in renal tissues of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis and to determine whether tissue and serum Gal-3 are associated with SLE nephritis. Gal-3 expressions were examined with immunohistochemistry in renal biopsy specimens of 88 patients with SLE nephritis and in five normal specimens. Activity and chronicity indexes and glomerular Gal-3 expressions were analysed in each specimen. Serum Gal-3 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 20 patients with SLE, including 11 with nephritis, and in 50 healthy controls. Glomerular Gal-3 expression was observed in 81.8% (72/88) of patients with SLE nephritis but not in 5 controls. Gal-3 staining was attributed mainly to its cellular expression rather than its deposition, and Gal-3 expression levels were correlated with histologic activity indexes, anti-dsDNA titers, and complement 3 and 4 levels. Serum Gal-3 levels were higher in patients with SLE, particularly in those with nephritis, than in healthy controls, and correlated with anti-dsDNA titers. In conclusion, glomerular Gal-3 expression in renal tissue and serum Gal-3 levels were elevated in patients with SLE nephritis versus healthy controls; moreover, they reflected disease activity. These findings suggest that Gal-3 might contribute to the inflammatory process in SLE.
Key Words: galectin-3 lupus nephritis systemic lupus erythematosus
Lupus, Vol. 18, No. 1,
22-28 (2009) |
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