BACKGROUND: Detection of podocytes in the urine indicates that severe injury of podocytes occurred in the glomerulus in children. METHODS: The pathological significance of podocytes in the urine was determined in patients with lupus nephritis. Podocytes were detected by immunofluorescence using a monoclonal antibody against podocalyxin present on the surface of podocytes. Subjects who participated in the present study were of the following types: patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with stable renal function (group A, n = 8; WHO classes IlIa, b, IVb, and IVc at the time of biopsy); patients with clinically active lupus nephritis (group B, n = 8; WHO classes IVb and IVc); and healthy control subjects (group C, n = 10). RESULTS: Podocytes were absent in the urine of subjects in groups A and C. However, podocytes were present in the urine of group B subjects. Patients in group B were examined monthly for urinary podocytes and were treated with methylprednisolone followed by prednisolone. Urinary podocytes were absent in all patients in group B after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that urinary podocytes may be markers of the severity of lupus nephritis and that steroid therapy may be effective for podocyte injury in lupus nephritis.
BACKGROUND: Detection of podocytes in the urine indicates that severe injury of podocytes occurred in the glomerulus in children. METHODS: The pathological significance of podocytes in the urine was determined in patients with lupus nephritis. Podocytes were detected by immunofluorescence using a monoclonal antibody against podocalyxin present on the surface of podocytes. Subjects who participated in the present study were of the following types: patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with stable renal function (group A, n = 8; WHO classes IlIa, b, IVb, and IVc at the time of biopsy); patients with clinically active lupus nephritis (group B, n = 8; WHO classes IVb and IVc); and healthy control subjects (group C, n = 10). RESULTS: Podocytes were absent in the urine of subjects in groups A and C. However, podocytes were present in the urine of group B subjects. Patients in group B were examined monthly for urinary podocytes and were treated with methylprednisolone followed by prednisolone. Urinary podocytes were absent in all patients in group B after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that urinary podocytes may be markers of the severity of lupus nephritis and that steroid therapy may be effective for podocyte injury in lupus nephritis.
Authors: Patrícia Garcia Rodrigues; Rafael Nazário Bringhenti; Jonathan Frapporti do Nascimento; Gabriel Joelsons; Mariane dos Santos; Sane Pereira; Francisco Veríssimo Veronese Journal: Int J Clin Exp Pathol Date: 2014-04-15
Authors: S J Wagner; I Craici; D Reed; S Norby; K Bailey; H J Wiste; C M Wood; K G Moder; K P Liang; K V Liang; C Rose; T Rozkos; M Sitina; J P Grande; V D Garovic Journal: Lupus Date: 2009-04 Impact factor: 2.911