Kidney injury molecule-1 expression in IgA nephropathy and its correlation with hypoxia and tubulointerstitial inflammation

Tubulointerstitial injury plays an important role in the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kidney injury molecule (KIM)-1 is induced in damaged proximal tubules in both acute renal injury and CKD. However, the dynamics of KIM-1 in CKD and effects of KIM-1 expression on disease progression are unknown. Here, we aimed to determine the associations between tubular KIM-1 expression levels, renal function, and inflammation in CKD. The relationships between levels of KIM-1 and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed in patients with progressive and nonprogressive IgA nephropathy. KIM-1 expression was increased in patients with IgA nephropathy, and its expression was significantly correlated with the decrease of renal function. KIM-1 was particularly evident at the site with reduced capillary density, and KIM-1-positive tubules were surrounded by infiltrates of inflammatory cells. Using in vitro cell models, we showed that cellular stressors, including hypoxia, induced KIM-1 expression. KIM-1-expressing cells produced more chemokines/cytokines when cultured under hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, we showed that tubular cells with KIM-1 expression can regulate the immune response of inflammatory cells through the secretion of chemotactic factors. These data suggest that KIM-1-expressing epithelial cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of tubulointerstitial inflammation during chronic renal injury through the secretion of chemokines/cytokines.