The Role of Th17/IL-17 in the Pathogenesis of Primary Nephrotic Syndrome in Children

Abstract

Background: This work aims to explore the role of Th17 and IL-17 signaling in the pathogenesis of primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) in children and podocyte injury, children with PNS were divided into minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) and non-minimal change nephrotic syndrome [NMCNS, including mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)]. Methods: Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to observe the circulating frequency of Th17 cells and the apoptosis of podocytes by annexinV-FITC/PI. Serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Fas and FasL expressions in podocytes were examined by FCM analysis using a direct immunofluorescence method. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was applied to measure the mRNA expressions of RORc, IL-23p19, Nephrin, WT1, Synaptopodin, Podocalyxin, Fas, and FasL. The IL-17 and IL-1β expression in renal biopsy tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expressions of WT1, Caspase 8, and Caspase 3 in podocyte cell culture were also measured using immunocytochemistry. Results: Circulating frequencies of Th17 cells, mRNA levels of RORc and IL-23p19, and serum levels of IL-6 and IL-1β were higher in the MCNS and NMCNS groups than in the control group (all P P P Conclusion: Th17/IL-17 may contribute to the pathogenesis of PNS by decreasing the podocalyxin level and inducing podocyte apoptosis.

Keywords

• Nephrotic syndrome
• Th17 cells
• IL-17
• Podocyte
• Apoptosis
• Podocalyxin