Cellular Immunity Analysis Using Monoclonal Antibodies in Human Glomerulonephritis

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies against class II antigens of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (Edu 1), von Willebrand factor-related antigen marker of endothelial cell, T cells (Cris 1), helper/inducer T cells (T4) and cytotoxic/suppressor T cells (T8) by indirect immunofluorescence, and stain for nonspecific esterase characterizing monocytes-macrophages (Mo-Ma) were applied in 64 renal biopsies – 54 glomerulonephritis (GN), 10 non-GN -and in 14 normal kidneys. Class II antigens were expressed on the endothelium of renal microvasculature in all specimens. Intraglomerular T cells and Mo-Ma were only present in GN. Mo-Ma appeared associated with endo- and extracapillary proliferation (X²_c = 4.68; p < 0.05), C3 (X² = 4.21; p < 0.05), and fibrinogen (X² = 3.84; p < 0.05) deposition; and those were most numerous in biopsies with intraglomerular T cells. Interstitial MHC-class II⁺ cells (X²_c = 5.5; p < 0.02), T cells (F = 3.37; p < 0.005) and Mo-Ma (F = 2.45; p < 0.05) were significantly higher in GN with endo- or extracapillary proliferation than in the remaining. In GN, correlations were seen between T cells and MHC-class II⁺ cells (r = 0.63; p < 0.001), and Mo-Ma (r = 0,38; p < 0.02), infiltrating the interstitium. Our results suggest that both humoral and cellular immunity contribute to macrophage glomerular infiltration in the human GN. Mononuclear cells, and no intrinsic renal cells, would be implicated in the cellular immune interactions in situ.