IgA 신병증에서 VEGF 단백의 발현

초록

IgA nephropathy is the most common glomerular disease in Korea. Its outcome is dependent to several factors such as histologic grading, serum creatinine level and degree of proteinuria. Vascular endothelial growth 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 prognostic factors of IgA nephropathy and degree of expression of VEGF. Seventy-one renal biopsies from patients with IgA nephropathy was selected. The clinical features analyzed including age, serum creatinine level, 24 hour urine protein level and hematuria at the time of renal biopsy. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue using the anti-VEGF antibody. the grading of intensity of VEGF expression was following; Glomerular expression was 0, 1, 2, proximal and distal tubular expression were 0, 1 and 2. In the normal control kidney, VEGF expression was localized in the glomerular cells mainly visceral epithelial cells and distal tubular epithelial cells. The proximal tubular epithelial cells hardly expressed VEGF. The expression of VEGF in IgA nephropathy is related to the serum creatinine level and 24 hour urine protein level (p<0.05). The intensity of the glomerular VEGF expression was also correlated with the 24 hour urine protein level. These results suggests the VEGF is related to the proteinuria and increased serum creatinine level in the IgA nephropathy and its play an important role in the progression of IgA nephropathy.