To explore the role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the genesis and progression of lupus nephritis (LN).Methods Expression of IL-18mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma level of IL-18 in 16 normal volunteers and 18 patients with LN were determined by semi-quantity reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunoabsordent assay (ELISA) respectively. Expression of IL-18mRNA and IL-18 protein in renal tissue also was examined using in-situ hybridization (ISH ) and histoimmunochemical(ICH) staining respectively.Results IL-18 was expressed and produced in normal human circulation and renal tissue. IL-18 expression and production were increased significantly in patients with LN (P 0.001 respectively), either in peripheral blood or in renal tissue. Furthermore IL-18 expression was higher in WHO type-Ⅳ LN patients than in non-type-Ⅳ LN patients(P0.01 for plasma, P0.05 for PBMCs and P0.005 for renal tissue, vs controls). Plasma IL-18 levels were positive
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