Fig. 6

Gene expression of matrix associated genes. One of the main findings in IgAN is expanded mesangial matrix and mesangial proliferation. In order to investigate if cells from patients with IgA-depositions in the kidney express more matrix associated genes we investigated the gene expression of selected matrix genes, namely; BGN (biglycan), COL4A1 (collagen alpha-1(IV) chain), DCN (decorin), FN1 (fibronectin), HSPG2 (perlecan) and NDST1 (heparan sulfate N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase 1). The expression of DCN (a small proteoglycan) was significantly higher in untreated IgAN MCs than controls. Overall we could see a trend that IgAN MCs had a higher expression of matrix genes, in the unstimulated groups, and that stimulation with cIgA and gd-IgA increased the expression for all groups. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, error bars represent SEM