Phenotypic analysis of the glomerular and periglomerular mononuclear cell infiltrates in the Thy 1.1 model of glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND

The phenotype of macrophages invading the mesangium and periglomerular region has not been described in experimental mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, although it has implications for the mechanism of entry of these cells into these locations and their function once there. We have, therefore, determined the phenotype of the periglomerular leukocytic infiltrate in the Thy 1.1 model of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and compared it with that of cells invading the mesangium.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The Thy 1.1 model was induced in Lewis rats, and sections were taken at 1 hour and at 1, 4, 9, 30, and 90 days postinduction. Immunohistochemistry was performed using monoclonal antibodies against macrophage markers (ED-1, CD4, RT1-B, and ED-2), chains of the beta 2 integrins (CD18, CD11a, and CD11b), T and B cell markers (CD8, T cell receptor, interleukin-2 receptor, and MRC OX33), and markers of mesangial cell proliferation (proliferating cell nuclear antigen, alpha-smooth muscle actin). Sections were compared with those obtained from control animals.

RESULTS

In untreated rats, a striking resident periglomerular macrophage population (phenotype ED-1-ve ED-2-ve CD4+ve RT1-B+ve CD18+ve CD11a+ve CD11b+ve) was found, confirming a previous report. From 24 hours postinduction, this resident macrophage population was supplemented by a population whose predominant phenotype (ED-1+ve ED-2-ve CD4+ve RT1-B+ve CD18+ve CD11a+ve CD11b+ve) was identical to that of macrophages infiltrating the mesangium. Both infiltrates peaked at 4 days and returned to base-line levels by 1 to 3 months. There was no significant lymphocyte infiltrate within the glomerulus and only a minimal periglomerular T cell infiltrate.

CONCLUSIONS

These data show, first, that disease limited to the mesangium can lead directly to periglomerular macrophage infiltration. Second, the presence of CR3 (i.e., CD11b and CD18) and LFA-1 (i.e., CD11a and CD18) on the macrophage infiltrate indicates that both ligands are important for cells to enter the mesangium and periglomerular areas. Third, the marked phenotypic and temporal similarities between the mesangial and periglomerular macrophage infiltrates suggests that a common factor(s) is involved in their pathogenesis. Finally, expression of RT1-B (Ia) but not ED-2 is reported to be typical of interstitial dendritic cells rather than tissue macrophages, suggesting a unique function for the glomerular and periglomerular macrophage infiltrate in this model.