Lutheran/basal cell adhesion molecule accelerates progression of crescentic glomerulonephritis in mice

Kidney Int. 2014 May;85(5):1123-36. doi: 10.1038/ki.2013.522. Epub 2014 Jan 15.

Abstract

Migration of circulating leukocytes from the vasculature into the surrounding tissue is an important component of the inflammatory response. Among the cell surface molecules identified as contributing to leukocyte extravasation is VCAM-1, expressed on activated vascular endothelium, which participates in all stages of leukocyte-endothelial interaction by binding to leukocyte surface expressed integrin VLA-4. However, not all VLA-4-mediated events can be linked to VCAM-1. A novel interaction between VLA-4 and endothelial Lutheran (Lu) blood group antigens and basal cell adhesion molecule (BCAM) proteins has been recently shown, suggesting that Lu/BCAM may have a role in leukocyte recruitments in inflamed tissues. Here, we assessed the participation of Lu/BCAM in the immunopathogenesis of crescentic glomerulonephritis. High expression of Lu/BCAM in glomeruli of mice with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis suggests a potential role for the local expression of Lu/BCAM in nephritogenic recruitment of leukocytes. Genetic deficiency of Lu/BCAM attenuated glomerular accumulation of T cells and macrophages, crescent formation, and proteinuria, correlating with reduced fibrin and platelet deposition in glomeruli. Furthermore, we found a pro-adhesive interaction between human monocyte α4β1 integrin and Lu/BCAM proteins. Thus, Lu/BCAM may have a critical role in facilitating the accumulation of monocytes and macrophages, thereby exacerbating renal injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease / genetics
  • Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease / immunology
  • Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease / metabolism*
  • Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease / pathology
  • Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease / prevention & control
  • Autoantibodies
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cell Adhesion*
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Integrin alpha4beta1 / metabolism
  • Kidney / immunology
  • Kidney / metabolism*
  • Kidney / ultrastructure
  • Lutheran Blood-Group System
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / deficiency
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Mice, 129 Strain
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Monocytes / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Renal Insufficiency / genetics
  • Renal Insufficiency / immunology
  • Renal Insufficiency / metabolism
  • Renal Insufficiency / prevention & control
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Bcam protein, mouse
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Integrin alpha4beta1
  • Lutheran Blood-Group System
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • antiglomerular basement membrane antibody