Cytokine upregulation in tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with membranous nephropathy

Abstract

We describe the upregulation of cytokines in a 45-year-old woman with tubulointerstitial nephritis and membranous nephropathy revealed by renal biopsy. She was treated with a combination of prednisolone and cyclosporin. Histological findings showed appreciable improvement, and urinary protein excretion was decreased from 15 g/day to 1 g/day. Elevated urinary levels of chemokines, interleukin (IL)-8 and monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF)/monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α decreased during convalescence; 13 other patients with membranous nephropathy did not show elevation of these cytokines. These results suggest that the upregulation of these cytokines may participate in the pathogenesis of tubulointerstitial nephritis and that combination therapy of prednisolone and cyclosporin may be effective, possibly via inducing a decrease in these cytokines.