Role of Dendrtic Cells in IgA Nephropathy Pathogenesis

Abstract

Objective to discuss the possible role and mechanism of DCs in IgAN attack. Method Stimulating factors such as recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF), recombinant human interleukin-4 (rhIL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) etc. were used in vitro jointly to induce and culture DCs, a flow cytometry was used to detect expression of HLA-DR, CD83 and CDla of DCs membrane surface molecules, the MTT method was used to detect capacity of DCs of the IgAN patient group to stimulate proliferation of allogeneic T cells and the difference between the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) secreted by DCs and that of the normal control group. Result Combined application of cytokines GM-CSF, IL-4 and TNF-a is able to induce proliferation and differentiation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell into a mature dendritic cell. The surface of mature dendritic cells highly expresses human leucocyte antigen HLA-DR and surface maturity markers of relative specificity of dendritic cells, CD83 and CD1a. The capacity of DCs of the IgAN patient group to stimulate allogeneic T lymphocyte proliferation is higher than that of the normal control group and the difference has statistical significance (P<0.05). The capacity of DCs of the patient group influenced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to stimulate allogeneic T lymphocyte proliferation significantly increases compared with that of DCs of the patient group not influenced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the difference has statistical significance (P<0.05). The IL-6 secreted by the DCs of the IgAN patient group is higher than that of the normal control group and the difference between the two groups has statistical significance (P<0.05). The IL-12 secreted by the DCs of the IgAN patient group is lower than that of the normal control group and the difference between the two groups has statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion DCs may regulate the balance between Thl/Th2 cells by secreting cytokines so as to play an imporat role in occurence and progression of IgAN and such factors as infection etc. may strengthen the functions of DCs thus easily triggering IgAN.