open access

Vol 47, No 2 (2009)
Original paper
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2009-12-10
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Expression of galectin-3 in nephrotic syndrome glomerulopaties in children.

Danuta Ostalska-Nowicka, Michal Nowicki, Beata Kondraciuk, Malgorzata Partyka, Dariusz Samulak, Martin Witt
DOI: 10.2478/v10042-009-0069-0
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2009;47(2):315-322.

open access

Vol 47, No 2 (2009)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2009-12-10

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Galectins are a family of ancient animal carbohydrate binding proteins; the name is from their description as beta-galactoside-specific lectins. They have been strongly implicated in inflammation and cancer. Studies of the association of galectins with various aspects of kidney disease in humans are still at an early stage. In line with the above, the aim of the present report was to analyse the immunohistochemical expression of galectin-3 (the only chimera galectin currently identified) in renal biopsy specimens of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Eighteen children with minimal change disease (MCD), 30 with diffuse mesangial proliferation (DMP) and 11 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) treated between 2003 and 2006 in the Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Nephrology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences. An indirect immunohistochemical protocol using a polyclonal rabbit antibody against human galectin-3 was employed.

RESULTS
In the control, MCD and DMP children who responded to steroid therapy anti-galectin-3 reactivity was present both in renal cortex and medulla. It was the strongest within cortical collecting ducts and subjectively less expressed in distal tubules. The total number of galectin-3 positive cortical and medullary segments of collecting ducts was significantly higher in the subjects who did not respond to steroid therapy These patients revealed also immunohistochemical reactivity of galectin-3 within nuclei of individual glomerular mesangial cells (p<0,001).

CONCLUSIONS
A suggested galectin-3 authority in mature human glomeruli during proteinuric glomerulopathies may indicate, on the one hand, its anti-inflammatory effect, but on the other can prognosticate a further glomerular reconstruction leading to FSGS. Taken together, both glomerular and extraglomerular galectin-3 immunoreactivity in certain DMP individuals could be regarded as the factor of unfavourable prognosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Galectins are a family of ancient animal carbohydrate binding proteins; the name is from their description as beta-galactoside-specific lectins. They have been strongly implicated in inflammation and cancer. Studies of the association of galectins with various aspects of kidney disease in humans are still at an early stage. In line with the above, the aim of the present report was to analyse the immunohistochemical expression of galectin-3 (the only chimera galectin currently identified) in renal biopsy specimens of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Eighteen children with minimal change disease (MCD), 30 with diffuse mesangial proliferation (DMP) and 11 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) treated between 2003 and 2006 in the Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Nephrology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences. An indirect immunohistochemical protocol using a polyclonal rabbit antibody against human galectin-3 was employed.

RESULTS
In the control, MCD and DMP children who responded to steroid therapy anti-galectin-3 reactivity was present both in renal cortex and medulla. It was the strongest within cortical collecting ducts and subjectively less expressed in distal tubules. The total number of galectin-3 positive cortical and medullary segments of collecting ducts was significantly higher in the subjects who did not respond to steroid therapy These patients revealed also immunohistochemical reactivity of galectin-3 within nuclei of individual glomerular mesangial cells (p<0,001).

CONCLUSIONS
A suggested galectin-3 authority in mature human glomeruli during proteinuric glomerulopathies may indicate, on the one hand, its anti-inflammatory effect, but on the other can prognosticate a further glomerular reconstruction leading to FSGS. Taken together, both glomerular and extraglomerular galectin-3 immunoreactivity in certain DMP individuals could be regarded as the factor of unfavourable prognosis.

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About this article
Title

Expression of galectin-3 in nephrotic syndrome glomerulopaties in children.

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 47, No 2 (2009)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

315-322

Published online

2009-12-10

Page views

2260

Article views/downloads

2132

DOI

10.2478/v10042-009-0069-0

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2009;47(2):315-322.

Authors

Danuta Ostalska-Nowicka
Michal Nowicki
Beata Kondraciuk
Malgorzata Partyka
Dariusz Samulak
Martin Witt

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