Glomerular TGF-β1 expression in children with nephrotic syndrome

Summary: Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been suggested to contribute to the onset and/or progression of glomerulonephritis. However, data of TGF-β in connection with the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome are still insufficient. an immunohistochemical study on the glomerular TGF-β₁ in nephrotic syndrome was carried out in order to clarify the pathological role of this substance. Ten cases of nephrotic syndrome were subdivided histologically into two groups: (i) six cases of minor glomerular abnormality (group M); and (ii) four cases of focal glomerular sclerosis (group F). Two cases with normal glomeruli, one case of normal portion of adult renal cell carcinoma, one case of normal portion of Wilm's tumour were also studied as controls. Four cases of asymptomatic haematuria (group H) and four cases of chronic non-IgA glomerulonephritis syndrome (group C) were chosen compared to the nephrotic syndrome. Staining was evaluated semiquantitatively by light microscopy and by measuring the staining ratio compared to the glomerular area on an image analyzer. Both methods showed significantly larger staining in the glomeruli of group F, compared to group M. We concluded that TGF-β₁ plays an important role in the progression of nephrotic syndrome.