Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in IgA nephropathy

초록

IgA nephtrophathy is the most common glomerular disease in Krea. Its outcome is dependent to several factor such as histologic grading, serum creatinine level and degree of proteinuria. Vascular endothelial grwth factor (VEGF) is a potent enhancer of microvascular permeability and a selective endothelial growth factor. It might be involved in the development of proteinuria. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between prognotic factors of IgA nephropathy (serum creatinine and degree of proteinuria) and degree of expression of the VEGF. Seventy-one renal biopsies from patients with IgA nephropathy was selected. The clinical features analyzed included age, serum creatinine level, 24 hour urine protein level and hematuria at the time of renal biopsy. Immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin emebdded tissue using anti-VEGF antibody. The grading of intensity of VEGF expression was following; glomerula expression was 0,1, 2, proximal tubular expression and distal tubular expression were 0, 1, 2 in the normal control kidney, VEGF expression was localized in the glomerular cells mainly visceral epithelial cells and distal tubiular epithelial cells. The proximal tubular epithelial cells hardly expressed VEGF. The expression of VEGF in the IgA nephropathy is related to the serum creatinine level and 24 hour protein level (p<0.05), The intensitiyof glomerular and tubular VEGF expression was correlated with the serum creatinie level. The intensitiy of glomerular VEGF expression was also correlated with the 24 hour urine protein level. These results suggest the VEGF is related to the protein uria and increased serum creatinine level in the IgA nephropathy and it plays a important role in the progression of IgA nephropathy.