In Situ Hybridization of Interleukin 6 in Diabetic Nephropathy

Abstract

Increased mesangial expansion is one of the most characteristic histological changes in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Although the pathogenesis of DN remains unclear, recent studies associate interleukin (IL) 6 with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. To elucidate the expression and localization of IL-6 mRNA in renal tissues of patients with DN, a high-resolution in situ hybridization using digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide was performed. Patients were divided into three groups based on light microscopy findings: mild (group 1), moderate (group 2), and severe (group 3) mesangial expansion. The relationship between the expression of IL-6 mRNA and the degree of glomerular mesangial expansion in DN was examined. Individual cells positive for IL-6 mRNA were observed in glomeruli. These cells were mesangial cells, glomerular epithelial cells, and Bowman's capsule. The signal intensity was strongest in tissues from group 2 but was weak in those from groups 1 and 3. Most cells in the area of mesangial proliferation were strongly stained for IL-6 mRNA, and few positive cells were found in the Kimmelstiel-Wilson nodular lesion. In the interstitium, some tubules, particularly atrophic tubules, and some infiltrating cells were positively stained for IL-6 mRNA. The interstitial expression of IL-6 mRNA correlated significantly with the degree of interstitial injury and was remarkable in tissues from groups 2 and 3. We conclude that IL-6 mRNA is expressed by glomerular resident cells and interstitial cells in the renal tissue of patients with DN and that its expression may be associated with mesangial proliferation and may be involved in the tissue injury of DN.

Association between poor psychosocial conditions and diabetic nephropathy in Japanese type 2 diabetes patients: A cross‐sectional study

“…It is well known that inflammation plays important roles in the pathogenesis of DN32, 33. In contrast, several studies showed that psychosocial factors are closely related with the induction of inflammation and immune system malfunction.…”

Effects of different LDL particles on inflammatory molecules in human mesangial cells

“…IL6 is another cytokine probably involved in mediating inflammatory damage to the kidney: IL6 is present in glomerular-resident cells and interstitial cells in the renal tissue of patients with diabetic nephropathy [14] and the cytokine is capable of inducing severe mesangial proliferation and matrix enlargement in proliferative glomerulonephritis [15].…”

Vitality of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine, Scavenger Receptor Proteins and Atherosclerotic Plaque Markers in Risk Prediction of Diabetic Nephropathy

“…Cortical mRNA expression of IL-6 is increased in diabetic kidney in comparison with normal rodents and is positively associated with elevated urinary concentrations of albumin (Navarro et al, 2006). Similarly, other researcher published work on interstitial expression of IL-6 mRNA in human renal tissue from individuals with diabetes, correlates with histological features of interstitial injury (Suzuki et al, 1995). IL-10, an important Th2 cytokine, exerts predominantly anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects (Zimmet, 1999).…”

“…In 1995, Suzuki et al, (1995) reported that serum levels of IL-6 were significantly higher in patients with T2DN than the levels observed in diabetic patients without nephropathy, which suggests that IL-6 may have a role in the pathogenesis of DN. Later, Suzuki et al, (1995) performed situ hybridization of IL-6 in diabetic nephropathy, analyzed kidney biopsies in patients with DN by high-resolution in situ hybridization.…”

“…IL-6 is one of the most extensively studied pro-inflammatory cytokines (Suzuki D, et al, 1995). Cortical mRNA expression of IL-6 is increased in diabetic kidney in comparison with normal rodents and is positively associated with elevated urinary concentrations of albumin (Navarro et al, 2006).…”