Relationship Between The Expression Of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor And Lupus Nephritis

Objective:To investigate the serum concentration of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the expression of VEGF in renal tissues of patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and their relationships with clinical and pathology manifestations. Methods: Serum level of VEGF was studied during renal biopsy with ELISA in 32 patients with LN. The expression of VEGF in 44 renal tissues of patients with LN was detected by immunohistochemical staining. 5 cadaveric renal tissues and 30 healthy controls' serum was served as controls. We also examined possible association between the serum concentrations of VEGF and glomerular VEGF and SLE activity and renal lesions. Results: The serum concentration of VEGF and the expression of glomerular VEGF of patients with LN were significantly higher than that of control groups( P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the serum concentration of VEGF among WHO class Ⅱ,Ⅳ and Ⅴ LN. The expression of glomerular VEGF in class Ⅳ LN was the highest among the threeclasses studied. Serum VEGF was positively correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and LN renal activity index (RAI)(r=0.611,0.422, respectively, P＜0.05). glomerular VEGF was positively correlated with SLEDAI, RAI, tubulointerstitial lesions and Scr(r=0.512,0.699,0.615,0.569, respectively, P＜0.05). However, both Serum VEGF and glomerular VEGF had no correlations with proteinuria (r=0.185,0.227, P＞0.05). Conclusion: Serum concentration of VEGF and expression of glomerular VEGF are significantly elevated in patients with LN. Overexpression of glomerular VEGF is correlated with pathology type of LN. However, VEGF has no effect on protinuria. The increase of serum VEGF and glomerular VEGF can reflect the degree of disease activity and the severity of renal lesions.