INVOLVEMENT OF HEMOPOIETIC STEM CELLS IN REGENERATION OF THE KIDNEY IN CHRONIC GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Abstract

THE AIM of the investigation was to study possible involvement of hemopoietic stem cells in regeneration of the kidney in chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) with different degrees of morphological activity of CGN. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The investigations were performed with the material of 64 nephrobiopcies of CGN patients. Pathomorphological assessment of CGN activity and degree of sclerosis was fulfilled by a semiquantitative method. The immunohistochemical investigation of nephrobioptates was carried on using monoclonal antibodies against α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), CD31, CD34 streptovidinbiotin method (LSAB-kit company, DAKO), α-SMC-actin marker of myofibroblasts synthesizing components of the connective tissue, CD31-marker of endothelium, CD34 – of the endothelium and hemopoietic stem cells. RESULTS.The number of cells expressing CD34 in 18.75% of cases under condition of minimal degree of CGN activity exceeded the number of cells expressing CD31. Expression of α-SMA by myofibroblasts was detected in 28%. In cases of mild degree of activity the higher expression of CD34 took place in 46.15% of cases. Myofibroblasts of α-SMA+ were found in all nephrobiopcies. In average activity of CGN the cell expression of CD34 was 50% higher than CD31. In high degree of activity the level of CD34 expression was equal to that of CD31. Possible participation in the regenerative response of hemopoietic stem cells was determined by difference of expression of CD31 and CD34. CONCLUSION. Hemopoietic stem cells with phenotype CD34+ can be involved in regeneration of the kidney in CGN.