Change in the number of autophagosomes in podocyte and its clinical significance in Immunoglobulin A nephropathy

Objective To observe the number of autophagosomes in podocyte of IgAN,and explore the relationship between autophagy and the progression of renal disease. Methods Clinical data of 35 patients who were diagnosed as IgAN admitted to the Zhejiang Provincial people's Hospital from January,2013 to December,2014 were retrospectively analyzed.The changes of kidney tissue pathology were detected after HE,PAS and Masson staining by light microscope.The autophagosomes of podocyte were detected by transmission electron microscopy. Results Compared with the control group,the number of autophagosomes in podocyte of IgAN group were lower,and there was a statistically significance(P<0.001).However,with the increase of pathological stage,the decrease in the number of autophagosomes was less obvious.The number of autophagosomes in Lee Ⅳ stage were statistically higher than the LeeⅡ than the Lee Ⅱ IgAN group(P=0.001).Furthemore,there was a statistically bigger number of autophagosomes in female patient than male patients(P=0.035). Conclusion Podocyte autophagy participates in the progression of IgAN.