Abstract.
Lymphocyte ectoenzymes with immunomodulatory function were investigated in 11 children with minimal change disease (MCD), 9 with primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and 17 age- and sex-matched healthy children. Basal, concanavalin A (Con A)-, and pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated lymphocyte ecto-5′-nucleotidase (5′-Nu), dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV), and alkaline phosphodiesterase I (APD) activities were determined. In MCD relapse ecto-APD activity of unstimulated lymphocytes was higher than controls. Ecto-APD of Con A-stimulated lymphocytes was below controls (23.0, range 7.2– 48.7 nmol/min per 106 lymphocytes) in all active MCD (18.7, range 7.6–32.6), during corticosteroid treatment (14.6, range 4.5–54), and in remission (13.1, range 6.1–19.6), but was significant only in remission. Con A-stimulated DPP IV was significantly lower from controls (53.8, range 19.3–85.7 nmol/min per 106 lymphocytes) in all active MCD (38.1, range 10.8–82.1), during treatment (37.5, range 20.2–58.7), and in remission (39.4, range 24.3–69.6). In FSGS, unstimulated lymphocyte ecto-APD activity was greater than controls. However, Con A-stimulated lymphocyte ecto-APD and DPP IV activities were not significantly different from controls. Con A stimulation of lymphocyte ecto-APD and DPP IV activity was significantly reduced in MCD relapse and in remission, but not in FSGS. Basal, Con A-, and PWM-stimulated ecto-5′-Nu in MCD and FSGS were not different from controls. These results suggest a role for abnormal T cell function in MCD but not in FSGS. The difference in mitogen-stimulated expression of these ectoenzymes suggests a different pathogenesis of childhood MCD and primary FSGS.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received June 30, 1997; received in revised form May 13, 1998; accepted May 27, 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Stefanović, V., Golubović, E., Vlahović, P. et al. Lymphocyte ectoenzymes in childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Pediatr Nephrol 12, 755–760 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004670050540
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004670050540