Differential glomerular expression patterns of Th17-related cytokines in Mexican patients with lupus nephritis

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to investigate in-situ expression of interleukin IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22, and IL-35 in lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods: A cross-sectional study using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in renal biopsy to detect in-situ expression of interleukin IL-17 family and IL-35 from 20 Mexican patients with moderate to severe LN.

Results: We found predominant expression of IL-17A and IL-21 in the glomerular region. IL-22 was detected in the tubulointerstitium and inflammatory aggregates, notwithstanding IL-21 and IL-35 in fibrotic and atrophic tubules. A positive correlation was found between IL-17A expression in the glomerulus and tubulointerstitium with creatinine, urea, and blood urea nitrogen levels, whereas IL-35 expression decreases in the presence of proteinuria. IL-21 was high in disease activity and severity versus IL-35 that decreased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity.

Conclusions: These findings provide evidence for the compartment-specific expression in LN of Th17-related cytokines and IL-35 in Mexican patients.