Abstract
Background: Tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse therapy was reported to be effective for patients with IgA nephropathy. However, the mechanisms of the effect of tonsillectomy on IgA nephropathy are unknown.
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of the phosphorylcholine (PC)-specific immune response in the tonsils and peripheral blood of patients with IgA nephropathy.
Material and methods: Tonsillar lymphocytes were isolated and the number of PC-specific immunoglobulin-producing cells was measured. Additionally, serum PC-specific immunoglobulin levels were quantified and compared with laboratory findings.
Results: The number of PC-specific IgA-producing cells was increased in the tonsils of patients with IgA nephropathy. The value was significantly elevated in the group with a higher risk of initiating dialysis. In contrast, PC-specific IgM levels in the serum were significantly elevated in the group with a lower risk of initiating dialysis.
Conclusions and significance: PC-specific immune responses in the tonsils and peripheral blood may be related to the pathological mechanism and progression of IgA nephropathy.
Chinese abstract
背景:扁桃体切除术联合类固醇脉冲治疗据报道是治疗IgA肾病的有效方法。然而, 扁桃体切除术对IgA肾病的作用机制尚不清楚。
目的:本研究旨在探讨磷酸胆碱(PC)特定性免疫反应在IgA肾病患者的扁桃体和外周血中的作用。
材料与方法:分离扁桃体淋巴细胞, 测定产生PC特定性免疫球蛋白的细胞的数目。此外, 对血清PC特定性免疫球蛋白水平进行量化, 并与实验室结果进行比较。
结果:IgA肾病患者扁桃体中产生PC特定性IgA的细胞数量增加了。这种细胞数量在启动透析的风险较高的组中显著升高。相比之下, 血清中PC特定性IgM水平在启动透析的风险较低的组中显著升高。
结论与意义:扁桃体及外周血PC特定性免疫反应可能与IgA肾病的病理机制及病情发展有关。
Disclosure of interest
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.