Immunoregulatory abnormalities in childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Abstract

In genetically predisposed individuals, dysregulated expression of cytokine(s) may be responsible for the minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) in childhood. This thesis confirmed the presence of a strong genetic susceptibility in Singapore Chinese children. Interleukin (IL)-13 may be implicated in the pathogenesis of MCNS. Increased IL-13 gene expression, in both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, correlated with elevated serum IgE levels but down-regulated IL-8 gene expression in peripheral mononuclear cells during nephrotic relapses. Upregulation of DEC-1, a growth suppressor gene, in patients in relapse was demonstrated. We postulate that upregulation of DEC-1 may be associated with regulatory nuclear factor (NF)-kB pathway.