ABSTRACT
Aim of the work: was to evaluate the human neutrophil chemotactic cytokine [IL-8] role in the development of Lupus nephritis [LN] and its correlation with disease activity and pathological type. this study was conducted on 20 patients with lupus nephritis and 20 controls with matched age and sex. Patients were subjected to thorough history taking, and clinical examination, routine investigations including CBP, ESR, and renal function tests [blood urea, serum creatinine, and creatinine clearance] and 24 hours urinary protein. Level of anti-ds DNA was measured in SLE patients. IL-8 measurement in both serum and urine was done using ELISA technique. Renal biopsies were taken from all patients and were studied for histopathological changes, cellular infiltration and sings of activity. IL-8 was not detected in the serum of any patient with LN. Urinary IL-8 were elevated in patients with WHO class IVa, IVb, IVc, IIIa, and IIa. The highest levels were detected in class IVb, and undetected in any patient with class IId, IIIa and I, and some patients with class IIa. Urinary IL-8 was increased significantly in patients with glomerular cell proliferation, fibrinoid necrosis, cellular crescents, hyaline deposit and interstitial inflammation and leukocyte exudation. Urinary IL-8 correlated well activity index. IL-8 produced locally in LN and may be involved in the pathogenesis of glomerular and tubulo-interstitial diseases. IL-8 in urine is correlated well with activity index, thus its measurement in urine in LN patients may be a useful tool for monitoring disease activity