Laminins Expression in Children with Mesangial Proliferative Glomerulonephritis

Objective: To investigate the role of laminins in the pathogensis of mesangial praliferalive glomeruonephritis (MsPGN ) in children. Methods: Eighteen renal biopsy specimens of MsPGN and 6 normal kidneys were studied by means of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.Results: ① Protein of α1 chain and γ1 chain of laminin increased around the segments of proliferative mesangium. Increased expression of α2 and βl proteins was found in the segments with mesangial proliferation whereas the β2 chain expression decreased in these areas. ② The mRNA expression of αl,α2,β1 and γ1 increased to different degrees in glomeeruli with mesangial proliferation. But no difference was detected among Mild, Moderate, and Severe MsPGN. Conclusion:①The quantitative and qualitative alterations of laminin chains’ distribution were found in the measngial proliferative glomeruli. The proliferative mesougial cells were the origins of abnormal accumulation and expression of laminins.③ These changes may be the basis of the progresses of MsPGN.