[Expression of zeta (zeta) chain in peripheral blood T lymphocytes and NK cells of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS)--preliminary results].

UNLABELLED

Cellular immune disturbances have been implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. The zeta (zeta) chain, which is a component of the TCR/CD3 complex and CD16 heterodimer in NK cells, plays a crucial role in signal transducing events leading to T and NK cell activation and proliferation. The aim of our study was to examine the zeta (zeta) chain expression in peripheral blood CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocytes and NK cells (CD3-/CD56+) derived from children with NS in active phase of the disease and in remission. We also examined the effect of 24 and 72 h anti-CD3+rIL-2 stimulation on the zeta chain expression in all studied groups.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 8 children with INS in active phase of the disease, 11 children with INS in clinical remission and 15 age-matched healthy controls. The level of zeta (zeta) chain expression, assessed by flow cytometry, was determined as the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI).

RESULTS

In INS patients with active phase MFI values for CD4+ cells were higher than in children with remission and in controls. The levels of zeta in CD4+ T-lymphocytes of patients with remission were comparable to those in controls. There were no differences between zeta levels on NK cells in examined groups. Ex vivo stimulation had no impact on zeta expression in children with acute phase of NS, whereas in patients on remission stimulation with anti-CD3+rIL-2 increased zeta expression on CD4+ cells and decreased it on NK cells. NK zeta expression was also diminished in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary results point at the alterations of zeta expression in children with INS as a probable cause of immune dysregulation in this group of patients.