Expression and significance of stem cell factor in renal tissue of patients with lupus nephritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the renal expression of stem cell factor (SCF) in lupus nephritis (LN) and its correlation with disease activity and renal injury parameters. Methods Histochemical stain was used to examine all renal specimens (LN group n=34, chronic glomerulonephritis n=16, control group n=8). Hyhridization in situ and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of SCF and infiltration of mast cells, macrophages , α-SMA (+) cells in renal tissues of the two groups. SPS software was used for tissue of the control group. However, they increased markedly in lupus nephritis and CGN (t=6.03～14.25, P< 0.01). But there was no significant difference between LN and CGN in SCF and mast cells in renal interstitium. Positive correlation was observed among the expression of SCF and α-SMA and the number of mast cells and macrophages (r=0.47～0.84, P<0.01) at their corresponding locations. The expression of SCF and ot-SMA and the number of macruphages were positively correlated with renal pathological active index, chronic index, albuminuria and the injury of renal interstitium (r=0.34～0.93, P<0.05 or 0.01); meanwhile, it was negatively correlated with Ccr(r=-0.39～0.61, P<0.01). There was significant correlation between SCF, macrophages and anti-dsDNA antibody, complement C3 level, SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). The number of mast cells in renal interstitium was positively correlated with chronic indexes and the injury of renal interstitium (r=-0.86, r=0.93, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with Ccr (r=-0.56, P<0.01), but not correlated with active index and albuminuria (r=0.27, r=0.23, P>0.05). Conclusion The expression of SCF is widespread in kidney, and it is markedly eorrelated with various kinds of inflammatory cells, renal inherent cells, renal function, and urine protein levels. SCF may be an critical participant in the initiation and progression of renal injuries in human lupus nephritis.