A serum cytokine network in immunoglobulin A nephropathy

Individual cytokines have been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis and prognosis of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN). We attempted to characterize a broad cytokine matrix in the serum of patients, and investigate its association with renal function. Thirty-two cytokines were simultaneously measured from the serum of IgAN patients (n=22) and healthy controls (n=12). Clinical variables including annual inulin based GFR and 24-h proteinuria were collected on the IgAN patients over a 5-year period. There was a significant difference between serum cytokine signature of IgAN and control values. There was a significant increase in 9 serum cytokines in IgAN patients compared with healthy controls, and these consisted of inflammatory cytokines, growth factors and chemokines. These 9 cytokines demonstrated significant inter-correlation and formed a distinct pattern compared to controls. IgAN appears to be associated with the elevation of multiple serum cytokines in a highly coordinated fashion. The pattern of cytokine changes could serve as a disease biomarker and may provide insights into disease pathogenesis.