Immunopathological studies were performed to determine whether glomerular injuries in ddY mice, a spontaneous animal model for IgA nephropathy, are influenced by treatment with a newly developed liposome loaded with prednisolone phosphate (PSL-liposome). The newly synthesized novel cationic lipid 3,6-dipentadeciroxy-1-amizino-benzene (TRX-20) was employed to obtain selective affinity to the anionic cell surface and extracellular matrices in glomerular mesangial lesions. ddY mice were treated intravenously with 1.0 mg/kg of PSL-liposome once a week for 16 weeks (from 45 weeks to 61 weeks of age). ddY mice were also intravenously treated with 1.0 mg/kg of ordinary PSL once a week for the same duration. On immunofluorescence, depositions of IgA and C3 in the glomerular mesangial areas and capillary walls of PSL-liposome-treated ddY mice were markedly decreased as compared with those of ordinary PSL-treated and untreated control ddY mice. The mean intensity of IgA and C3 in glomeruli of PSL-liposome-treated ddY mice was decreased as compared with that in ordinary PSL-treated and untreated control ddY mice. Glomerular mesangial expansion in PSL-liposome-treated ddY mice was milder than that found in ordinary PSL-treated ddY mice or untreated control ddY mice. It appears that treatment with PSL-liposome is effective in improving glomerular IgA and C3 depositions and glomerular expansion in IgA nephropathy of ddY mice.
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