Expression of CD44 and major histocompatibility complex class II antigens correlate with renal scarring in primary and systemic renal diseases.

OBJECTIVE

Phenotypical changes in the tubular epithelial cells (TEC) seem to be important in the progression of renal diseases. The present study was designed to identify the relation between the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens and CD44 by TEC, with parameters of renal scarring in primary and systemic renal diseases.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Expression of MHC class II and CD44 antigens was determined immunohistochemically in 71 renal biopsies and eight nephrectomy specimens with chronic pyelonephritis (CP).

RESULTS

CD44 expression was increased in renal diseases compared with autopsy cases and was strongly correlated with parameters of renal scarring and MHC class II antigen expression in primary and systemic renal diseases. CD44 expression was demonstrated in chronic pyelonephritis, postinfectious glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive nephropathy, as well as other diseases described previously. Similar results were obtained for MHC class II antigen expression by TEC and these results were correlated with serum creatinine values.

CONCLUSIONS

CD44 expression by TEC is a common pathway in renal scarring, like MHC class II antigen expression, and both of these may be important in renal scarring in CP cases as well as other primary and systemic renal diseases.