Interleukin-11 Reduces Renal Injury and Glomerular NF-Kappa B Activity in Murine Experimental Glomerulonephritis

• Published in: Nephron Vol. 101; no. 4; p. e146
• Main Authors: Lai, P C, Smith, J, Bhangal, G, Chaudhry, K A, Chaudhry, A N, J.C. Keith Jr, F.W.K. Tam, Pusey, C D, Cook, H T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel S. Karger AG 01.12.2005
• ISSN: 1660-8151; 2235-3186

Background/Aims: There is now considerable evidence implicating T cells and macrophages in glomerular injury in crescentic glomerulonephritis. Recently, it has been shown that interleukin-11 (IL-11) has an immune modulatory function through its effect on both macrophages and T cells. We, therefore, examined the therapeutic effect of IL-11 in a murine model of experimental glomerulonephritis. Method: Accelerated nephrotoxic nephritis was induced in C57BL/6 mice. IL-11 at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day (n = 10) in vehicle was given daily subcutaneously from the day of sensitization until day 14 after initiation of glomerulonephritis. Control mice (n = 10) received injection of vehicle alone with the same schedule. Results: IL-11 treatment markedly decreased albuminuria (6.2 ± 1.9 vs. 18.2 ± 4.5 mg/day, p < 0.05), the number of glomerular macrophages (1.1 ± 0.2 vs. 1.7 ± 0.3 cells/glomerular cross-section, p < 0.05) and glomerular fibrin deposition (fibrin score 0.9 ± 0.3 vs. 2 ± 0.3, p < 0.05). There was no difference in the glomerular T cell numbers between the IL-11-treated and the vehicle group. Glomerular NF-κB activity was markedly suppressed by 75% in the treated group (p = 0.0015). Conclusion: In this study, we provide the first in vivo evidence that IL-11 treatment decreases glomerular NF-κB activity and reduces renal injury in experimental glomerulonephritis. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel