Association of CD147 renal expression with morphologic lesions of Oxford classification in IgA nephropathy patients

Abstract

Introduction: Nephropathy of immunoglobulin A (IgA), is the most frequent glomerulonephritis worldwide. Nephropathy of IgA, has a highly variable course, either clinically or pathologically. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess CD147 expression with four morphological lesions of Oxford classification in IgA nephropathy patients. Patients and Methods: The characterization of IgA nephropathy necessitated the existence of diffuse and global mesangial IgA deposition with weak C1q deposition. The kidney biopsies with the diagnosis of IgA nephropathy were included in the study. After the diagnosis of IgA nephropathy, four pathologic variables, of the Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy were assessed. For immunohistochemical staining, 4-μm-thick sections were stained with anti-human CD147 antibody. The intensity of CD147 staining on tubules, Bowman’s capsules, vessels and tuft of glomeruli was expressed as percentage of involvement. Results: In this study, 48 consecutive renal biopsies documented for IgA nephropathy were selected. Mean age of patients was 38.4±12.6 years. The average of proteinuria and serum creatinine were 1620.33± 720 mg/d and 1.33±0.54 mg/dL, respectively. We found vessels had the least and tubules had the highest mean of intensity of CD147 staining. This study showed that the intensity of CD147 staining in glomeruli was much higher among women than men. In addition, the association of T1 and T2 as the morphologic variables of Oxford classification with CD147 intensity staining on tubules was significant (P=0.032). Conclusion: IgA nephropathy is common in various parts of the world. Beyond the Oxford classification, further work is still needed, to find other parameters having prognostic implication. Our study revealed some correlations of CD147; however, larger investigations are needed on this aspect of IgA nephropathy