Assessment of selected adhesion molecules and lymphocyte subpopulations in children with IgA nephropathy
Wiercinski R, Zoch-Zwierz W, Stasiak-Barmuta A, Wasilewska A, Tomaszewska B, Winiecka W

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the expression of selected adhesion molecules on mononuclear cells of peripheral blood and lymphocyte subpopulations in children with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). 
Material and methods: 14 children with IgAN and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. Flow cyto­metry was used to determine the expression of such adhesion molecules as L selectin (CD62L), VLA-4 integrin (CD49d), intracellular molecule ICAM-1 (CD54) and cytotoxic lymphocyte molecule CTLA-4 (CD152), as well as the lymphocyte antigens: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD1656 (NK), CD4 and CD8 RO+ and RA+. 
Results: The findings revealed that the expression of the adhesion molecules VLA-4 and CTLA-4 did not differ from that of the healthy controls (p>0.05). However, the expression of CD62L (L-selectin) was increased (p<0.05). The expression of ICAM-1 was reduced, but not significantly, compared to the control group (p>0.05). We found a decrease in the expression of NK cells (CD1656) and CD4/CD8 ratio, and an increase in CD8 cells (p<0.05). In the group of 9/14 children, with proteinuria over 1.0 g/24 hours, a decreased expression of CD4 was additionally found (p<0.05). 
Conclusions: The children with IgAN show: 1. Changes in peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations involving an increase in CD8 cells and a decrease in CD1656(NK) cells, a reduction in the CD4/CD8 ratio, and additionally in cases with proteinuria a reduction in CD4 cell count, 2. Increased expression of L-selectin (CD62L) on periferal blood mononuclear cells.

Key words:   IgA nephropathy, adhesion molecules,  lymphocyte subpopulations.