Renal interstitial mast cell counts differ across classes of proliferative lupus nephritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus frequently involves the kidneys leading to significant morbidity and mortality. It is classified according to glomerular involvement pattern but tubulointerstitial lesions are also important for progression and prognosis, as seen in other kidney glomerular diseases. One of the cell types which participate in this process are mast cells. The aim of the study was to analyze the counts of tryptase-positive and chymase-positive mast cells in lupus nephritis classes II, III and IV. Material consisted of 42 renal biopsies from patients with lupus nephritis; 11 class II, 9 class III and 22 class IV. Chymase- and tryptase-containing cells were stained by immunohistochemistry and counted microscopically. Mean count of chymase-positive mast cells was 9.8/10 high power fields (hpf) for the whole group, 4.66 for class II, 11.89 for class III, and 11.51 for class IV. The mean count of tryptase-positive cells was 18.6/10 hpf for the whole group, 7.65 for class II, 25.57 for class III, and 21.23 for class IV. The differences between lupus nephritis classes were significant both for chymase- and tryptase-positive cells. Tryptase- but not chymase-positive cell counts showed a correlation with the creatinine level (R = 0.35). These results suggest that mast cells are involved to a different degree in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis depending on the class of the disease

PLAGL1 protein is differentially expressed in the nephron segments and collecting ducts in human kidney

Introduction. PLAGL1 (pleiomorphic adenoma gene-like 1) is a C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factor associated with the regulation of cell growth and development. Although PLAGL1 expression in kidney was assessed by biochemical methods, the exact localization of the PLAGL1 protein in human kidney has not yet been described. Material and methods. Macroscopically unchanged specimens of kidney tissue were collected from 39 patients undergoing nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma. H & E staining of paraffin sections was used to assess histology of the kidney whereas immunohistochemistry was used to localize PLAGL1 protein in kidney compartments. In addition, database sequences search for putative PLAGL1 binding sites among the kidney-related genes was performed. Results. PLAGL1 staining intensity differed depending on the kidney compartment. Strong PLAGL1 immunoreactivity was found in thick ascending limbs of Henle’s loop, distal tubules and collecting ducts, whereas PLAGL1 expression in proximal tubules and renal corpuscles (including podocytes) was moderate and weak, respectively. By the in sillico screening of promoter sequences for PLAGL1 specific DNA-binding sites GGG­GCCCC we designated 43 candidate genes for PLAGL1-regulated genes. Analysis of their functional annotations identified three significantly over-represented gene sets: inositol phosphate metabolic processes (GO), endocrine and other factor-regulated calcium reabsorption (KEGG) and calcium signaling pathways (KEGG). Conclusion. Differences in the renal expression of PLAGL1 suggest that this protein may be involved in the regulation of several cellular pathways both as transcriptional factor and coactivator/corepressor of other tran­scription factors reflecting its role in the cell type-specific control of gene expression.

Generаl pаthomorphology

The manual presents the content and basic questions of the topic, practical skills in sufficient volume for each class to be mastered by students, algorithms for describing macro- and micropreparations, situational tasks. The formulation of tests, their number and variable level of difficulty, sufficient volume for each topic allows to recommend them as preparation for students to take the licensed integrated exam "STEP-1"

IgG4-Related Disease and the Spectrum of Mimics in Rheumatology

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated condition that can affect almost any organ. It is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory condition of unknown etiology. Pseudotumor formation is the most common and characteristic clinical symptom. The variable organ dysfunction reflects the clinical presentation. Because there are not specific antibodies for this disease, histopathological assessment provide the pivotal role in the diagnosis. IgG4-RD is characterized by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate composed of IgG4+ plasma cells, storiform fibrosis, obliterative phlebitis and mild to moderate eosinophilia. In this chapter we present the newest knowledge of the IgG4-RD pathogenesis and then concentrate on clinical symptoms which can mimic many other conditions in rheumatology, e.g., this common as Sjӧgren syndrome or rare as vasculitis or idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis

The morphological analysis of vasculature in thyroid tumours: immunoexpression of CD34 antigen.

Angiogenesis represents an important process manifested in tumour growth and in development of metastases. Using immunohistochemistry, the authors evaluated number of vessels in various nodular lesions of the thyroid (54 cases). Expression of CD34 antigen and microvessel density were evaluated in sections of archival paraffin blocks originating from the Department of Pathological Anatomy, University Medical School and the Lower Silesia Centre of Oncology in WrocĹaw, Poland. Microvessel density was assessed in ten different fields per section in "hot spots". Expression of CD34 was quantified using computerised image analysis and, then, mean micrvessel count (MVC) and microvessel area (MVA) were calculated. In thyroid tissue with benign lesions, the MVC (31.7) was higher than in neoplastic lesions (22.3), although no differences in MVA were observed. This observation points to differences in the size of newly formed vessels in individual nodular lesions of the thyroid

Experimental assessment of arsenic toxicity in garole sheep in India

Arsenic, a dangerous bio-accumulative poison, is a grave threat affecting a large number of people as well as animals throughout the World, particularly in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. It is also a matter of concern as continuously entering into food chain through biotic and abiotic products. The present study was conducted to evaluate the experimental effect of arsenic toxicosis on Garole sheep of West Bengal. One group was subjected to oral arsenic exposure @ 6.6 mg Kg−1 over 133 days when rests considered as negative control. Periodical arsenic estimation in wool, urine and feces along with hemato-biochemical alteration were checked thoroughly. It was evident from the study that long term arsenic exposure exerted a significant (p < 0.01) alteration compared to normal animal which were further supported by clinical abnormalities. Exposed animals showed histological changes throughout major internal organs like coagulative necrosis of liver, tubular nephritis of kidney and acanthosis of skin etc. The bio-accumulative and excretion pattern of arsenic inside body were also well understood by the arsenic estimation study of wool, urine and feces which may be helpful for discussion regarding arsenic entry into food chain via animals

WNT4 Expression in Primary and Secondary Kidney Diseases: Dependence on Staging

Background/Aims: WNT4 protein is important for kidney development. Its expression was found to be altered in experimental models of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the expression of the WNT4 gene has yet not been studied in human renal biopsy samples from patients with broad spectrum of glomerular disease and at different stages of CKD. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess the WNT4 gene expression in renal biopsies of 98 patients using the real-time PCR technique. Materials: In order to assess the relative amounts of mRNA, in samples of patients with manifestation of different renal diseases and separately at different stages of CKD, by QPCR, total RNA was isolated from human kidney tissues collected during renal biopsies. Results of blood and urine samples assessment were used to calculate the correlations of biochemical parameters with WNT4 gene expression in both studied groups. Results: After pathomorphological evaluation, 49 patients were selected as presenting the most common cases in the studied group. Among the patients who developed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS; n = 13), IgA nephropathy (IgAN; n = 10), IgAN with morphological presentation of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (IgAN/FSGS; n = 8), membranous nephropathy (MN; n = 12), and lupus nephritis (LN; n = 6) were included in the analysis. We found that the level of WNT4 mRNA was higher in kidney specimens obtained from patients with MN as compared to those diagnosed with LN or IgAN. A correlation between WNT4 gene expression and serum albumin and cholesterol levels was observed in patients with FSGS, while WNT4 mRNA levels correlated with plasma sodium in patients diagnosed with LN. After consideration of 98 patients, based on the KDIGO classification of CKD, 20 patients were classified as CKD1 stage, 23 as stage 2, 13 as stage 3a, 11 as stage 3b, 13 as stage 4, and 18 as stage 5. WNT4 gene expression was lower in the CKD patients in stage 2 as compared to CKD 3a. Correlations of WNT4 mRNA level at different stages of CKD with indices of kidney function and lipid metabolism such as serum levels of HDL and LDL cholesterol, TG, urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium were also found. Conclusions: Our results suggest that altered WNT4 gene expression in patients with different types of glomerular diseases and patients at different stages of CKD may play a role in kidney tissue disorganization as well as disease development and progression

Occupational exposure to allyl chloride

"The recommended standards include an exposure limit of 1.0 ppm as a time-weighted concentration for up to 10-hour work shift in a 40-hour work week, with a ceiling concentration of 3.0 ppm for 15 minutes. Provisions are included for sampling, collection, analysis, pre-employment medical examination, periodic examinations, first-aid, medical records, labeling and posting, personal protective equipment (respiratory protection including respirator requirements, eye protection and skin protection), informing employees, emergency procedures involving allyl chloride, control of airborne allyl chloride, storage, handling and general work practices, waste disposal, confined spaces, sanitation, monitoring and recordkeeping. Criteria include the purpose of the standards, biologic effects of exposure (including the extent of exposure, historical reports, effects on humans, epidemiologic study, animal toxicity, correlation of exposure and effect, carcinogenesis, mutagenesis and eratogenesis), environmental data and analytical methods, basis for previous standards and for the present recommended standard and research needs." - NIOSHTIC-2CurrentPrevention and ControlEnvironmental Healt