Abstract: FR-PO1052
Complement and Cytokine Characterization of C3GN
Session Information
- Glomerular Diseases: Immunology and Inflammation - II
October 26, 2018 | Location: Exhibit Hall, San Diego Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Glomerular Diseases
- 1202 Glomerular Diseases: Immunology and Inflammation
Authors
- Steers, Nicholas J., Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
- Chatterjee, Debanjana, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
- Lam, Wan yee, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
- Demaria, Natalia D., Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
- Bomback, Andrew S., Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
- Appel, Gerald B., Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Scarsdale, New York, United States
- Gharavi, Ali G., Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
Background
The complement pathway is an innate immune defense mechanism, when uncontrolled can cause damage to host tissues including the kidney upon uncontrolled activation of the alternative complement pathway (ACP). C3GN is characterized by deposits in the glomerulus made up entirely of complement C3 protein without the presence of immunoglobulins.
Methods
We determined the cytokine and complement profiles derived from the plasma of 40 C3GN cases, and 15 healthy controls (HC), utilizing the Luminex assay.
Results
Analysis of the plasma from 40 C3GN patients compared to HC revealed significant decreases in the complement pathway proteins C3 (424+336 vs 673+118 μg/ml), C4 (233+71 vs 392+115 μg/ml), C4b (10.9+4.3 vs 15.9+3.1 μg/ml), C5 (15.8+8.3 vs 24.3+6.4 μg/ml), CFH (247+60 vs 285+44 μg/ml), and Properdin (19.2+5.3 vs 25.2+5.6 μg/ml). In-depth analysis of the plasma derived from C3GN patients identified significantly low C3 levels (2*SD below Average HC) in 21 patients, in which 72% of these had significantly low levels of plasma C5. Key components of the ACP are CFH and properdin, and we only identified 10 patients with significantly low levels CFH (7 associated with low plasma C3), and 11 with significantly low levels properdin (8 associated with low plasma C3). Global cytokine analysis in C3GN plasma determined significant increases in proinflammatory cytokines TNFα detected in 100% of C3GN patients (17.9+8.9 pg/ml) and IL-1α detected in 82% of C3GN patients (80.3+80.1 pg/ml) compared to HC ((100%) 7.2+3.6 and (40%) 29.7+29.9 pg/ml, respectively). Cytokine analysis demonstrated bi-modal patterns with increased percentage of C3GN patients having elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-12p40 was more prevalent in the plasma of C3GN patients (45% and 50% respectively), compared to HC (26% and 26% respectively)
Conclusion
The plasma of C3GN patients demonstrates activation of the ACP and elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines that are associated with stimuli know to activate the ACP. Our data set is being expanded to include additional samples and will be correlated with the clinical status of patients. In-depth profiling of immunological markers and the specific relationships will able to design a panel specific to individual complement associated glomerular pathology.