Downregulation of the beta1,3- galactosyltransferase gene in tonsillar B lymphocytes and aberrant lectin bindings to tonsillar IgA as a pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.

Abstract

IgA is a glycoprotein with multiple O-glycans. Under-O-glycosylation of the hinge in IgA in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is reported. The development of IgAN is frequently preceded by episodes of upper respiratory tract infections such as tonsillitis. Therefore, the tonsils may be related to the pathogenesis of IgAN. However, the mechanism of underglycosylation in tonsillar IgA has not yet been fully elucidated. Since O-glycans in IgA are produced by glycosyltransferases, we hypothesized that dysregulation of the enzymes is associated with underglycosylation.

• Authors: Tatsuyuki Inoue, Hitoshi Sugiyama, Yoko Kikumoto, Naomi Fukuoka, Yohei Maeshima, Hisashi Hattori, Kunihiro Fukushima, Kazunori Nishizaki, Yoshiyuki Hiki, Hirofumi Makino
• Journal: Contributions to nephrology (Contrib Nephrol) Vol. 157 Pg. 120-4 ( 2007) ISSN: 0302-5144 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 17495448 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulin A
• Lectins
• B3GLCT protein, human
• Galactosyltransferases
• Glucosyltransferases

Topics

• B-Lymphocytes (enzymology, immunology)
• Biopsy
• Down-Regulation (immunology)
• Galactosyltransferases
• Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
• Glomerulonephritis, IGA (immunology, metabolism, pathology)
• Glucosyltransferases (genetics, metabolism)
• Glycosylation
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin A (immunology, metabolism)
• Lectins (metabolism)
• Palatine Tonsil (cytology, immunology)