Korean J Nephrol.  2001 May;20(3):375-380.

Studies on the Role of Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-13 in the Pathogenesis of Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome

• Cho BS

Abstract

Minmal change nephrotic syndrome(MCNS) has been often associated with elevated IgE levels and referred to involve immune dysfunction. We have reported that MCNS may be a T-cell disorder involving abnormal production of interleukin-4 and that the counter regulation of CD23 by Interleukin-4 may play a role in the pathogenesis of MCNS, however IgE is also regulated by Interleukin-13. In order to evaluate the role of IL-4 and IL-13 in the pathogenesis of MCNS, Ten(5 male, 5 female) patients with MCNS were studied along with 5 normal controls. Mean age was 7.9+/-4.53 years. In unstimulated MCNS samples, IL-4 levels were 2.71+/-0.61pg/mL (controls 0.90+/-0.00pg/mL) and IL-13 were 185.70+/-40.43pg/mL(controls 42.40+/-12.98pg/mL). In PHA-P stimulated samples, IL-4 were 6.25+/-1.90 pg/mL(controls 0.90+/-0.000) and IL-13 were 9,990.00+/-2,416.60 pg/mL(controls 2,020.00+/-176.49pg/mL). Although further studies are needed to confirm both IL-4 and IL-13 may be an important cytokines, however IL-4 might be more sensitive marker in the pathogenesis of MCNS.

MeSH Terms

Cytokines
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Interleukin-13*
Interleukin-4*
Male
Nephrosis, Lipoid*
T-Lymphocytes
Cytokines
Immunoglobulin E
Interleukin-13
Interleukin-4