The expression of β2-integrins LFA-1 and MAC-1 on Blood Leucocytes and Kidneys of Patients with ANCA-associated Glomerulonephritis

Abstract

Abstract Increasing evidence revealed that the interaction between leukocytes and endothelium mediated by β2-integrins played a vital role in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis. The study was to study the expression of the two key β2-integrins, LFA-1 and MAC-1, on blood leucocytes and kidneys of patients with ANCA-glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) using flow cytometry and immunochemistry separately. 63 blood samples and 60 renal biopsy specimens were obtained from patients with ANCA-GN separately. Flow cytometry showed that the percentage of blood neutrophils expressing LFA-1 was significantly increased in patients ANCA-GN compared to those in HCs. Whereas the mean fluorescence intensity of LFA-1 and MAC-1 on blood neutrophils was dramatically decreased. In the glomeruli, a little expression of LFA-1 could be detected in both normal controls and patients with ANCA-GN, while MAC-1 was detected in patients with ANCA-GN. In the tubulointerstitial compartment, the expression of LFA-1 and MAC-1 could be detected both in normal controls and patients with ANCA-GN, but the mean optical density (MOD) of the two β2-integrins were significantly increased in patients with ANCA-GN than those of normal controls. In conclusion, LFA-1 and MAC-1 on blood leucocytes and kidney express differently between patients with ANCA-GN and healthy controls. LFA-1 and MAC-1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of ANCA-GN.