Inflammatory Cytokine Levels in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD).

Abstract

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a genetic ciliopathy that causes adult-onset progressive renal failure. Inflammation and the resulting fibrosis play a crucial role in the pathogenesis. In recent years, an increasing number of inflammatory markers such as MCP-1 and TNF-α, that are associated with the development and progression of ADPKD have been identified. The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate potential proinflammatory biomarkers in patients with ADPKD from the German AD(H)PKD registry.

Methods: In this exploratory pilot study, serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-γ, MCP-1 and TNF-α were measured by multiplex immunoassay in 233 adults patients with ADPKD from the German AD(H)PKD registry and compared to an age- and sex-matched healthy control group (n = 30).

Results: IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, TNF-α and IFN-γ concentrations were significantly higher in patients with ADPKD than in healthy controls. In addition, sex influenced the concentrations of MCP-1 and TNF-α in the ADPKD and control groups (MCP-1 male =134.8 pg/l, female=75.11pg/l; p = 0.0055; TNF-α male=26.22pg/l, female=21.08 pg/l; p = 0.0038).

Conclusion: In conclusion, patients with ADPKD have significantly higher levels of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, TNF-α and IFN-γ compared to healthy individuals. These findings underline that inflammation may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ADPKD and may be a potential target, both as biomarkers and for therapeutic interventions.