Expression of CD19(+)CD5(+)B cells and IgA1-positive cells in tonsillar tissues of IgA nephropathy patients

The hallmark of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the mesangial deposits of polymeric IgA. However, the source of IgA1 and the mechanism of deposition of IgA1 in the mesangium remain unknown. To better understand its pathogenesis, we investigated the expression of CD19(+)CD5(+)B cells and IgA1-positive cells in the tonsils of IgAN patients. Immunofluorescence was used to visualize the locations of CD19(+)CD5(+)B cells and IgA1-positive cells in the tonsils. In this study, it was demonstrated that CD19(+)CD5(+)B cells are usually found in germinal centers and in the capsule covering the upper parts of the nodules of lymphoid tissue (cap of the nodule). The expression of IgA1-positive cells in tonsil tissue can be seen in the cap of the nodule and subepithelial tissue. There is a significant relationship between IgA1 and CD19(+)CD5(+)B cells. The level of CD19(+)CD5(+)B cells is positively correlated to the severity of renal pathological changes. These findings suggest that CD19(+)CD5(+)B cells in the tonsils could have an impact on the pathogenesis of IgAN.     

CD248+ stromal cells are associated with progressive chronic kidney disease

Stromal fibroblasts are the primary cells of the kidney that produce fibrotic matrix. CD248 is a stromal marker expressed on fibroblasts and pericytes within the human kidney. Here, we tested whether CD248 expression in the kidney colocalizes with fibrosis and if it is associated with known determinants of chronic kidney disease (CKD). CD248 expression was located and quantified in situ by immunohistochemistry in kidney biopsies from 93 patients with IgA nephropathy and compared with 22 archived biopsies encompassing normal kidney tissue as control. In normal kidney tissue, CD248 was expressed by resident pericytes, stromal fibroblasts, and was upregulated in human CKD. The expression was linked to known determinants of renal progression. This relationship was maintained in a multivariate analysis with CD248 expression linked to renal survival. CD248 was expressed by a population of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)(+) myofibroblasts and α-SMA(-) stromal cells but not expressed on CD45(+) leukocytes. Thus, CD248 defines a subset of stromal cells, including but not limited to some myofibroblasts, linked to albuminuria and tubulointerstitial damage during tissue remodeling in CKD.     

Antilymphocyte antibodies against CD4+CD45R+ subsets in patients with IgA nephropathy.

The authors analysed CD4+ subset populations and particularly subset killing in order to evaluate the presence of antilymphocyte antibody against CD4+ subsets in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgA N). This study was performed in 45 patients with IgA N, 30 patients with other forms of glomerulonephritis and 30 healthy controls. CD4+, CD4+CD45R- and CD4+CD45R+ cells in the peripheral blood were counted by a flow cytometric analysis, and those cell killings were analysed by microcytotoxic assays. The percentage of circulating CD4+CD45R+ cells was significantly decreased in IgA N, and the percentage of CD4+CD45R+ cell killing was significantly elevated in IgA N compared with other groups. There was a significant negative correlation between the percentage of CD4+CD45R+ cells present in IgA N patients' peripheral blood lymphocytes and the killing CD4+CD45R+ cells by the same patients' serum. Both a depletion of CD4+CD45R+ cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes and an elevation of CD4+CD45R+ cell killing correlated with the grade of mesangial proliferation in patients with IgA N. However, there were no correlations in other clinicopathological indices. These results suggest that low levels of antilymphocyte antibodies against CD4+CD45R+ cells were present in patients with IgA N, who showed a depletion of CD4+CD45R+ cells in the peripheral blood. These antibodies were strongly associated with the elimination of CD4+CD45R+ cells and the proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells in patients with IgA N.     

Enhanced expression of the CD71 mesangial IgA1 receptor in Berger disease and Henoch-Schönlein nephritis: association between CD71 expression and IgA deposits

ABSTRACT. IgA nephropathy (IgA-N) that comprises Berger disease and Henoch-Sch?nlein Purpura (HSP) nephritis is defined by mesangial IgA deposits. Recently, this group has characterized a new receptor for IgA, the transferrin receptor (CD71), expressed on mesangial cells. To assess whether CD71 was involved in the pathogenesis of IgA-N, its expression was analyzed together with IgA deposits on 16 kidney biopsies from 16 patients with Berger disease (n = 4) or HSP (n = 12). These biopsies were compared with 17 kidney biopsies of a group of 15 patients (control group) with other glomerulonephritis, including systemic lupus erythematosus, poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, steroid-sensitive minimal change nephrotic syndrome, steroid-resistant idiopathic nephrotic syndrome with focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, and persistent and isolated proteinuria with minimal change on kidney biopsy. In this control group, IgA deposits could be observed in eight kidney biopsies of seven patients. These biopsies were also compared with normal kidney specimens (normal group). In normal kidney, it was found that CD71 was linearly expressed on tubular epithelium but was either not expressed or very dimly in glomeruli. In contrast, CD71 was strongly expressed in 105 of the 107 glomeruli of the kidney biopsies from the IgA-N group. For the control group, it was found that expression of CD71 in glomeruli was correlated to the presence of IgA deposits. Indeed, among the 87 glomeruli of nine kidney biopsies (eight patients) without IgA fixation, 78 exhibited no CD71 expression and nine exhibited a very dim one. On the other hand, all 49 glomeruli of the eight kidney biopsies (seven patients) in which IgA deposits were detected exhibited CD71 expression (P < 10(-4)). Performance of dual-labeling studies with confocal microscopy on kidney biopsies of IgA-N patients demonstrated that most of the IgA deposits co-localized with CD71. It was also demonstrated that the intensity of the expression of CD71 was not linked to the intensity of clinical or biologic findings but to the intensity of cellular proliferation in both IgA-N and control groups. These results show that mesangial CD71 expression is not specific to IgA-N. However, the association between IgA deposits and CD71 expression and their co-localization in the mesangium provide strong evidence that CD71 is a major IgA receptor on mesangial cells.     

Depletion of CD4(+) T cells aggravates glomerular and interstitial injury in murine adriamycin nephropathy

BACKGROUND: CD4(+) T cells play an important role in various types of immunologic renal disease, including lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, and crescentic glomerulonephritis. CD4(+) T cells are also major infiltrating lymphocytes in chronic tubulointerstitial inflammation associated with nonimmunological renal diseases. We suspected that CD4(+) T cells might contribute to disease progression and loss of renal function in chronic proteinuric renal disease (CPRD). To investigate this possibility, the effect of monoclonal antibody against CD4(+) lymphocytes (anti-CD4) was studied in a murine model (adriamycin nephropathy) of CPRD. METHODS: Adriamycin nephropathy was produced in male BALB/c mice by a single intravenous injection of adriamycin (11 mg/kg). Anti-CD4 was given by intraperitoneal injection following the development of proteinuria at days 5, 6, 7, 21, and 37 after adriamycin. After six weeks, renal function and histology were studied by histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Flow cytometric analysis showed a marked decrease in the number of CD4(+) T cells in blood and spleen of the antibody-treated animals (N = 7, P < 0.01). Adriamycin plus CD4(+) depletion mice had significantly greater mesangial expansion, glomerular sclerosis, and interstitial expansion than the mice on adriamycin alone. Interstitial infiltration with macrophages and CD8(+) cells was significantly increased in adriamycin plus CD4(+) depletion mice. Creatinine clearance (17.5 +/- 0.54 vs. 29.2 +/- 0.89 microL/min, P < 0.001) was significantly worse in the adriamycin plus CD4(+) depletion mice than in adriamycin alone mice and correlated with histologic change in glomeruli and interstitium. CONCLUSIONS: Depletion of CD4(+) T cells promotes glomerular and interstitial injury in mice with established adriamycin nephropathy. These findings suggest that CD4(+) T cells have a protective role against the progression of adriamycin nephropathy.     

86例膜性肾病回顾性分析及对CD4^＋CD^25＋调节性T细胞的初步研究

目的：回顾性总结、分析86例膜性肾病患者的临床表现、实验室检查及肾活检病理的特点及相互联系,认识膜性肾病的发病和流行病学特点。通过对特发性膜性肾病（idiopathic membranous nephropathy,IMN）患者和正常人外周血CD4＋CD2＋5调节性T细胞（Treg细胞）数量的检测,了解Treg在IMN患者外周血的变化规律,探讨其在IMN发病中的作用。方法：2004年3月～2008年12月间病理确诊为膜性肾病患者86例,分析患者一般资料、病理类型和临床特征。选择2007年～2008年IMN患者10例,随机选取与IMN患者年龄相匹配的健康志愿者10例,检测所有对象外周血Treg细胞数量。结果：（1）86例膜性肾病患者,其中IMN68例,占80%,4例患者随访后确诊为恶性肿瘤;继发性膜性肾病18例（其中乙肝病毒相关性肾炎5例,狼疮性肾炎4例,移植肾肾小球肾炎1例）,占20%。（2）IMN免疫荧光以IgG沉积为主,乙肝病毒相关性肾炎C1q沉积较IMN多（P〈0.05）,并均存在HBsAg沉积,与IMN相比狼疮性肾炎C1q沉积明显增多,C4也多于IMN（P〈0.05）。（3）病理分期分布特点：Ⅱ期膜性肾病多见。（4）IMN患者治疗前外周血Treg细胞占CD4＋淋巴细胞的百分比为（7.46±0.94）%,正常对照组为（6.54±1.0）%。结论：（1）根据病因分为IMN及继发性膜性肾病两种,男性发病率大于女性,中老年多发,继发性膜性肾病的年龄及性别分布根据病因的不同而有所不同,临床表现均以肾病综合征表现为主;IMN发病率明显大于继发性膜性肾病。（2）免疫荧光检查：IMN以IgG及C3沉积为主,乙肝病毒相关性肾炎均存在乙肝表面抗原,狼疮性肾炎与乙肝病毒相关性肾炎的C1q沉积较特发性膜性肾病明显增多（P〈0.05）。（3）IMN患者外周血Treg细胞数量较正常人增多。     

Significance of CD25 positive cells and macrophages in noncrescentic IgA nephropathy

The aim of this study was to determine whether infiltration by CD25 positive cells, macrophages, and activated macrophages in the kidney is predictive of chronic histological injury and renal prognosis in adults with noncrescentic IgA nephropathy. Renal biopsies of 36 patients with noncrescentic IgA nephropathy were examined by immunohistochemistry for glomerular and interstitial CD4, CD8, and CD25 positive cells, monocytes/macrophage (Mac387), and activated macrophages (27E10). Renal injury (glomerulosclerosis, mesangial cell hypercellularity, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis) at the time of biopsy and renal prognosis (follow-up creatinine and creatinine clearance) were assessed. The mean follow-up period was 22.5 +/- 16.5 months. The number of interstitial CD8 positive cells was the best predictor of renal injury at the time of biopsy, and was positively correlated with glomerulosclerosis (p = 0.04), tubular atrophy (p = 0.04), and interstitial fibrosis (p = 0.01) but not with mesangial cell hypercellularity. The number of interstitial Mac387 and 27E10 positive cells were the best predictors of renal prognosis (r2 = 0.33 and 0.34 respectively, both p < 0.01). These data suggest the presence of CD8 cells and macrophages in the kidney at the time of biopsy could potentially serve as pathological markers to identify patients with IgA nephropathy, which may warrant more aggressive medical therapy.     

Long time follow up of CD28- CD4+ T cells in living kidney transplant patients

We previously reported that the CD28(-) CD4(+) T cell subpopulation was expanded in the kidney allograft patients with long graft survival, although these T cells were rarely found in patients with graft survival <5 yr. To understand the CD28(-) CD4(+) T cells in the long-term acceptance of kidney allografts, we examined functions of this population and performed a 4 yr follow up study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from 47 long-term living related kidney allograft recipients. CD28(+) CD4(+) and CD28(-) CD4(+) T cells purified by cell sorting were analyzed for expression of V(beta) repertoire. Donor-specific response was examined in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). A follow up study with long-term kidney allograft patients was performed for 4 yr about the rate of CD28(-) CD4(+) T cells. Eleven patients were examined by MLRs against donors and third party. Four patients with a marked increase of CD28(-) CD4(+) T cells showed the donor-specific responses appeared to be lower when compared with third party-specific responses. Freshly sorted CD28(-) CD4(+) T cells showed a restricted V(beta) repertoire, whereas the V(beta) usage of CD28(+) CD4(+) T cells from the same patients was much diversified. Such difference in V(beta) repertoire was not evident between the two populations from healthy control. A follow up study showed the ratio of CD28(-) CD4(+) T cells appeared to be lower in patients who were suspected of chronic rejection. These unusual CD4(+) T cells might be related to the long-term acceptance of human transplant allografts.     

Pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico e síndrome antifosfolípide secundária possuem números reduzidos de células B CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ (células Treg) e células B CD3– CD19+ circulantes

IntroductionCD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cell depletion has been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and, recently, in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS); the issue has not been studied in SLE patients with secondary APS (SLE/APS) so far.ObjectiveTo quantify total lymphocytes, Treg cells, CD3+CD19– T cells and CD3–CD19+ B cells in SLE/APS patients and healthy controls.MethodsCell subtypes underwent immunophenotyping using specific monoclonal antibodies (anti–CD3 CY5, anti–CD4 FITC, anti–CD25, anti–Foxp3, anti–CD19 PE) and flow cytometry.ResultsTwenty–five patients with SLE/APS (mean age 43.5 years, 96% females, 96% caucasians, mean duration of disease 9.87 years, mean SLEDAI 10 ± 5.77) and 25 age and sexmatched controls entered the study. It was realized that the numbers of Treg and CD3– CD19+ B cells were significantly lower in SLE/APS patients than in controls (all p < 0.05). Treg and CD3–CD19+ B cells remained numerically low after controlling (ANCOVA) for percentage of total lymphocytes (p < 0.05). Decreasing levels of circulating Treg and CD3–CD19+ B cells correlated to higher scores of lupus activity (rs = –0.75, p < 0.0001; rs = –0.46, p = 0.021, respectively). Number of Treg cells and CD3–CD19+ B lymphocytes did not significantly differ in users or nonusers of chloroquine, azathioprine and corticosteroids (all p > 0.05).ConclusionsIn this preliminary study, patients with SLE and secondary APS showed depletion of Treg and CD3–CD19+ B cells; decreasing numbers of both subtypes correlated to a higher SLEDAI. Treg cells depletion might contribute to the autoimmune lesion seen in patients with SLE/APS. The reduced number of CD3–CD19+ B cells seen in these patients deserves more studies in order to get further elucidation.     

Significance of CD25 Positive Cells and Macrophages in Noncrescentic IgA Nephropathy

The aim of this study was to determine whether infiltration by CD25 positive cells, macrophages, and activated macrophages in the kidney is predictive of chronic histological injury and renal prognosis in adults with noncrescentic IgA nephropathy. Renal biopsies of 36 patients with noncrescentic IgA nephropathy were examined by immunohistochemistry for glomerular and interstitial CD4, CD8, and CD25 positive cells, monocytes/macrophage (Mac387), and activated macrophages (27E10). Renal injury (glomerulosclerosis, mesangial cell hypercellularity, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis) at the time of biopsy and renal prognosis (follow-up creatinine and creatinine clearance) were assessed. The mean follow-up period was 22.5 ± 16.5 months. The number of interstitial CD8 positive cells was the best predictor of renal injury at the time of biopsy, and was positively correlated with glomerulosclerosis (p = 0.04), tubular atrophy (p = 0.04), and interstitial fibrosis (p = 0.01) but not with mesangial cell hypercellularity. The number of interstitial Mac387 and 27E10 positive cells were the best predictors of renal prognosis (r² = 0.33 and 0.34 respectively, both p < 0.01). These data suggest the presence of CD8 cells and macrophages in the kidney at the time of biopsy could potentially serve as pathological markers to identify patients with IgA nephropathy, which may warrant more aggressive medical therapy.     

FTY720 exerts differential effects on CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte subpopulations expressing chemokine and adhesion receptors.

BACKGROUND: FTY720 (FTY), a novel immunomodulator with the potential to improve immunosuppressive therapy after organ transplantation, is currently under clinical investigation. Previous experimental animal studies have shown that FTY has a unique mechanism of action associated with altered lymphocyte recirculation. METHODS: Participating in a phase I clinical trial, we studied the pharmacodynamic effects of FTY in stable renal allograft recipients. We analysed the effect of FTY on surface marker expression on T-cell subpopulations by flow cytometry. RESULTS: A single oral dose of FTY (0.25-3.5 mg) significantly reduced peripheral lymphocyte counts by 30-70%. FTY reduced all T-lymphocyte subsets, CD4(+) cells more than CD8(+) cells. However, we observed that lower doses of FTY (0.25-2 mg, n = 11) did not affect peripheral CD4(+)CCR5(+) T-lymphocyte counts, while the highest FTY dose of 3.5 mg (n = 2) exerted a rapid reduction of CD4(+)CCR5(+) cells. Peripheral CD8(+)CCR5(+) T-lymphocyte counts were reduced by either low (0.25-2 mg) or high (3.5 mg) doses of FTY. In contrast to CCR5(+) cells, cells expressing CD62L were preferentially reduced after administration of FTY. In particular, CD4(+)CD62L(+) T cells declined after treatment. CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocyte subpopulations expressing the other chemokine and adhesion receptors (CXCR4, CD11a and CD49d) were reduced to a similar extent as compared with overall CD4(+) or CD8(+) T-lymphocyte counts. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limited number of patients, especially in the placebo (n = 3) and the high-dose groups (n = 2), our observations suggest that FTY exerts differential effects on T-cell subpopulations. FTY predominantly reduces CD4(+)CD62L(+) cells in the peripheral blood suggesting increased migration into lymph nodes. It seems that only FTY doses above 2 mg are able to reduce peripheral CD4(+)CCR5(+) T lymphocytes, which are potentially capable of infiltrating into the allograft during rejection.     

The influence of immuosuppressive therapy on the development of CD4+CD25+ T cells after renal transplantation

A growing number of studies suggest that CD4(+)CD25(+) T regulatory (Treg) cells play a significant role to downregulate the immune response to alloantigens. In this study, we investigated the possible influence of immunosuppressive therapy, including cyclosporine (CsA) or rapamycin (sirolimus), on the level of CD4(+)CD25(+), CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+), and CD4(+)CD25(+)CTLA-4(+) T cells in the peripheral blood of renal allograft recipients. The study was performed on renal allograft recipients who displayed uneventful stable courses (RAR-S; n = 15) versus biopsy-proven chronic rejection (RAR-CH; n = 12). The patients were divided based on the immunosuppressive protocol: group 1 (prednisone+CsA+Aza) and group II (prednisone+sirolimus). The control group consisted of 10 healthy blood donors. We examined the expression of CD4, CD25, CTLA-4, and Foxp3 in peripheral blood T cells. Flow cytometry was performed with a FACSCalibur (BD Biosciences) instrument with data analyzed using Cell Quest software. The percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells in rapamycin (sirolimus) treated patients did not differ from that observed in healthy individuals, but was significantly higher compared with CsA-treated patients. CsA therapy resulted in a reduction in the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)CTLA-4(+) and CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells after renal transplantation in both groups (RAR-S and RAR-CH) compared with patients treated with rapamycin or to healthy donors. The type of immunosuppressive therapy (with or without calcineurin inhibitors) may have an important role in tolerance induction and graft function.     

The number of CD10-positive glomerular epithelial cells reflects renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy patients

BACKGROUND: The glomerular epithelial cells play an important role in glomerular filtration of the kidney. The disruption of these cells contributes to the development of glomerulosclerosis. The present study was performed to elucidate whether loss of the glomerular epithelial cells is associated with renal injury in patients with IgA nephropathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty renal biopsy specimens from IgA nephropathy, 12 from minor glomerular abnormalities and 5 from normal controls were observed. The specimens from IgA nephropathy were divided into 2 groups: Group IgA-1, including 11 patients who had received a follow-up renal biopsy because of deterioration of renal function, and Group IgA-2, consisting of the remaining 19 patients without follow-up biopsy. Immunohistochemistry was performed using a monoclonal antibody against CD10 antigen that appears on mature epithelial cells of glomeruli. RESULTS: The average number of CD10-positive glomerular epithelial cells (GECs) was significantly lower in IgA nephropathy than in either minor glomerular abnormalities or the normal controls. In IgA nephropathy, there were significant correlations of the GECs with renal functions. The GECs were reduced along with the progression of histopathological damage. In group IgA-1, the GECs were significantly reduced at the second biopsy compared with the first biopsy, and significantly fewer in group IgA-1 than in group IgA-2 at the first biopsy. The GECs showed a significant correlation with renal prognosis during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of GECs was associated with renal dysfunction, histopathological damage and renal prognosis. The GECs may be a useful predictor of renal prognosis in IgA nephropathy.     

Predominant synthesis of IgA with lambda light chain in IgA nephropathy

The nature of the light chains in mesangial IgA deposits and serum IgA was studied in patients with IgA nephropathy. Immunofluorescence (IF) studies using murine monoclonal antibodies, rabbit and goat anti-human monospecific antisera were performed in kidney sections from 15 IgA nephritic patients with only IgA isotype detected in the renal biopsy. Lambda light chain IF was demonstrated in all biopsy specimens and kappa light chain IF in 11 renal biopsy specimens. The majority of renal biopsies showed a predominance of lambda light chain IF staining in the mesangial deposits. The concentration of individual immunoglobulins and their light chain fractions, and the kappa/lambda ratio were determined in the serum and the supernate from peripheral blood mononuclear cells culture of 30 IgA nephritic patients and 30 age-matched healthy controls. The IgA nephritic patients had a higher serum concentration of total IgA (P less than 0.001) and a significantly lower IgA kappa/lambda ratio (P less than 0.001) compared with the controls. The kappa/lambda ratio of supernatant IgA from IgA nephritic patients (N = 20) was also significantly lower than that of the normal subjects (N = 14), both in the unstimulated (P less than 0.01) and pokeweed mitogen stimulated, peripheral blood mononuclear-cell culture (P less than 0.05). Our results showed that patients with primary IgA nephropathy displayed a unique immunologic response characterized by a predominance of IgA with lambda light chain in circulation.     

Expansion of cytolytic CD4+CD28- T cells in end-stage renal disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity is associated with increased risk for atherosclerotic disease in patients with end-stage renal disease. This association is due to a unique peripheral blood CD4(+) T cell population which lack CD28 (CD4(+)CD28(-) T cells). Here we found that this patient population has a significant age-dependent increase of CD4(+)CD28(-) T cells that comprise over half of the circulating CD4 T cells in some. Patients over 50 years of age have a 50-fold higher percentage of CD4(+)CD28(-) T cells compared to seronegative patients and a 5-fold higher percentage when compared to seropositive healthy controls. Stimulation by CMV-antigen or by polyclonal stimulation using PMA and ionomycin showed that CD4(+)CD28(-) cells in patients with end stage renal disease degranulated and secreted interferon gamma thus indicating that they are cytolytic. The average anti-CMV IgG titer displayed a remarkable age-dependent increase only in patients with end stage renal disease. These findings are highly suggestive of repetitive antigenic stimulation of the immune system in patients with end stage disease by subclinical CMV reactivation which might contribute to increased atherosclerotic risk.     

Characterization of human B cells in umbilical cord blood-transplanted NOD/SCID mice

Humanized mice are crucially important for preclinical studies. However, the development and potential function of human B cells in chimeras remain unclear. Here, we describe the study of human B cells in NOD/LtSzPrkdcscid/J (NOD/SCID) mice. In this study, we transplanted 1.0×10(5) human CD34(+) cells from umbilical cord blood (UCB) into NOD/SCID mice after pretreatment with anti-asialo GM1 antiserum and sublethal irradiation. Human CD45(+) cells were detected in the peripheral blood of the recipient mice from 6 weeks after transplantation. CD19(+) B cells accounted for the greater part of the CD45(+) cells in the human UCB-chimeric mice, but their maturational stages differed in different organs. Most of the bone marrow (BM) CD19(+) cells were immature IgM(-)IgD(-)CD24(hi)CD38(hi) B cells, whereas the mature CD5(+)IgM(+)IgD(+)CD24(int)CD38(int)CD19(+) B cells were predominantly present in the spleen and peripheral blood. Human immunoglobulin (Ig) M was detected in mouse plasma. The human B cells also secreted human interleukin-10 after stimulation with LPS in vitro. These results show that human CD34(+) cells can differentiate into human B cells in NOD/SCID mice, with development and functions that are similar to those of B cell subsets in humans. The transplantation of human CD34(+) cells into NOD/SCID mice may provide a useful tool to study the development and function of human B cells.     

CD40L, CD28, and CTLA-4 expression on CD4+ T cells in kidney graft recipients: a relationship with post-transplantation clinical course

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies have demonstrated that the intensity of alloreactivity against a transplanted organ results from an interaction of positive (CD40/CD40L and B.7/CD28) and inhibitory (B.7/CTLA-4) signals between antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T lymphocytes. METHODS: We examined the CD40L, CD28, and both surface (s) and intracellular (i) CTLA-4 expressions on freshly drawn and anti-CD3+rIL-2-stimulated peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in groups of kidney transplant recipients in relation to distinct clinical course using the tri-color immunofluorescence method. RESULTS: The median proportions of freshly isolated CD3+/CD4+/CTLA-4+ and CD3+/CD4+/CD40L+ cells in all groups of graft recipients were higher than in control subjects. In patients with stable graft function (SGF), non-significantly higher sCTLA-4, significantly higher iCTLA-4 expression, and significantly lower CD40L expression on freshly drawn CD4+ T cells compared with recipients with chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) were found. Moreover, CD4+ T cells from SGF patients showed a higher potential to express sCTLA-4 and CD40L molecules and to down-regulate the CD28 molecule in response to ex vivo stimulation than those from patients with CAN. In patients without acute graft rejection (NAGR), a markedly higher proportion of freshly drawn CD3+/CD4+/iCTLA-4+ cells compared with patients with acute graft rejection (AGR) and an up-regulation of the median percentage of CD3+/CD4+/CD40L+ cells after ex vivo stimulation was found. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SGF, peripheral blood CD4+ T cells exhibited a higher potential to express surface CTLA-4 and CD40L and to down-regulate CD28 costimulatory molecules in response to ex vivo stimulation, indicating a relationship between the expression patterns of both costimulatory and inhibitory molecules in CD4+ T cells and clinical course after renal transplantation.     

Increase of CD23-positive cells in peripheral blood from patients with IgA nephropathy and non-IgA proliferative glomerulonephritis.

CD23 is a surface marker of activated B cells as well as a low-affinity Fc receptor for IgE. In this study, we enumerated CD23-positive peripheral blood lymphocytes and evaluated their clinical significance in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Twenty-five patients with IgAN and 16 patients with non-IgA proliferative glomerulonephritis (PGN) were studied. Twenty-seven healthy adults served as controls. CD23-bearing cells were enumerated by flow cytometry, and serum IgE levels were measured by latex photometric immunoassay. Significant increases in the number of CD23-positive cells were observed in patients with IgAN (p less than 0.01) and PGN (p less than 0.05) compared with controls. A significant elevation of serum IgE levels was also observed in the patients with IgAN and PGN (p less than 0.05). No positive correlation between the number of CD23-positive cells and serum IgE levels was observed. We also examined the induction of surface CD23 expression on peripheral lymphocytes by interleukin (IL)-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IFN-alpha, phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, lipopolysaccharide and phorbol myristate acetate. IL-4 was revealed to have a significantly potent effect on the induction of cell surface CD23 compared with other stimulants. It was concluded that many patients with IgAN or PGN show high serum IgE levels and/or high CD23-positive cell counts in their peripheral blood, suggesting that hyperactivation of B cells might be involved in the development of IgAN and non-IgA PGN. It appeared that IL-4 may play a significant role in the etiology of these types of glomerulonephritis.     

Prognostic Effect of Lymphocyte Subgroup CD4+ and CD8+ Cells in Peripheral Blood in Renal Transplant Patients With Cytomegalovirus Viremia

Objective

Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic effect of peripheral blood lymphocyte subgroup CD4+ and CD8+ cells on renal transplant patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia.

Materials and Methods

Using 41 renal transplant patients with CMV-PCR(+) in peripheral blood and stable values of serum creatinine (SCr), we evaluated the changes in lymphocyte subgroup CD4+ and CD8+ cells with onset of antiviral therapy with gancyclovir for treatment of pneumonia. We compared patients with or without pneumonia.

Results

The lower the peripheral blood lymphocyte subgroup CD4+ and CD8+ cell numbers, the higher the incidence of CMV pneumonia. The numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ cells at 1 month posttransplantation and at the time of CMV-PCR(+) detection were significantly lower than those before transplantation in the CMV pneumonia group (P < .01) and also in the nonpneumonia group.

Conclusions

The decrease in peripheral blood lymphocyte subgroup CD4+ and CD8+ cells after renal transplantation in patients with CMV viremia showed prognostic value for pneumonia. Increased CD4+ and CD8+ cells in peripheral blood combined with preemptive therapy may reduce the incidence of pneumonia among patients with CMV viremia.     

Detection of urinary macrophages expressing the CD16 (Fc gamma RIII) molecule: a novel marker of acute inflammatory glomerular injury

BACKGROUND: The CD16 antigen is the Fc gamma receptor III. CD14+CD16+ cells are proinflammatory monocytes/macrophages (Mo/M phi) that constitute a minor population in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals. Little is known about the expression of CD16 antigen on Mo/M phi in glomerulonephritis. METHODS: Flow cytometric analyses were performed on urine and blood samples obtained from 209 patients with various renal diseases. Patients variously suffered from rapidly progressive crescentic glomerulonephritis (RPGN), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), postinfectious acute glomerulonephritis (AGN), Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura nephritis (HSPN), IgA nephropathy (IgAN), membranous nephropathy (MN), minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), lupus nephritis (LN), acute interstitial nephritis, hereditary nephropathy, idiopathic renal hematuria (IRH), and renal stone. RESULTS: The CD16+ M phi population of cells was present in the urine of hematuria-positive patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis, including AGN, IgAN, RPGN, MPGN, and LN with acute inflammatory lesions, such as endocapillary proliferation, tuft necrosis, and cellular crescents. In contrast, the urinary CD16+ M phi population was negligible in hematuria-positive patients with nonproliferative renal disease, including hereditary nephropathy, IRH, and renal stone and also in patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis lacking acute inflammatory lesions. Total urinary M phi of these patients were much less than those of patients having proliferative glomerulonephritis with acute inflammatory lesions. Transient expansion of the CD16+ M phi population in urine was observed during the acute exacerbation of urinary abnormalities, whereas the disappearance of CD16+ M phi closely preceded the amelioration of urinary abnormalities in patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis. In 38 of the 98 patients positive for CD16+ M phi population in urine, the CD16+ Mo population was negligible in peripheral blood. Immunohistochemically, CD16+ M phi were present in the glomeruli of active proliferative glomerulonephritis, whereas such cells were absent in inactive proliferative glomerulonephritis or nonproliferative glomerular diseases. CONCLUSION: CD16+ M phi may be effector cells involved in the acute inflammation common to all types of proliferative glomerulonephritis. Furthermore, the detection of CD16+ M phi in urine, as well as urinary M phi counts, may serve as a useful indicator of the active stage of proliferative glomerulonephritis.