Differential Membrane Expression of Toll-Like Receptors and Intracellular Cytokine Induction in Peripheral Blood Monocytes of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetic Nephropathy

Background: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key players in the innate immune system whose activation leads to an inflammatory response. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus. The aim of our study was to assess the proinflammatory state of nondialysis CKD patients by evaluating the membrane expression of TLR2 and TLR4 and the intracellular IL-1 β and IL-6 production in response to the ligand Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4 (Pam3CSK4).Methods:85 nondialysis CKD patients [mean estimated glomerular filtration rate: 34 (17-90) ml/min/1.73 m2] were divided in 2 groups: 55 nondiabetic CKD patients (CKD group) and 30 patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN group). The two groups were compared with 36 healthy subjects (control group). TLR2 and TLR4 membrane expression in monocytes and Pam3CSK4-induced intracellular production of IL-1 β and IL-6 were assessed by flow cytometry.Results:Both patient groups showed increased TLR2 membrane expression compared with the control group, both at baseline (p
Source: Nephron Clinical Practice - Category: Urology & Nephrology Source Type: research