Fig. 3.

Transcription of IL-8 and IL-6 genes was determined by real-time RT–PCR using total RNA from human MC incubated for 20 h with stimulatory CIC from sera of two patients with IgAN (Pt columns) or corresponding fractions from a healthy control (Con columns). Pt1 had active disease, whereas Pt2 had an inactive disease (i.e., normal urinalysis). Medium without CIC served as the negative control (n.c. columns). PDGF (PDGF columns) and free uncomplexed Gal-deficient IgA1 myeloma protein (Ale) served as additional controls. IgA1 (Ale) was used in concentrations 25, 50 and 75 μg per well (Ale25, Ale50, Ale75 columns). Expression of specific genes was measured in triplicate and expressed relative to that of β-actin. Data comparisons were performed by the E-method [36] and calculated as mean expression in control MC to the expression in stimulated MC. Means and ranges are shown.