Construction of functional glomerular epithelial cells in vitro for removal of immune complex

A novel concept different from the traditional artificial kidney is disclosed to cure chronic renal disease, particularly SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) which is caused by the existence of an excessive amount of immune complex in the kidney. In this study, a full-length of human tonsil CR1 cDNA was transfected into cultured normal rat glomerular epithelial cells to enable CR1 expression over the long term. After preparing the pathogenic immune complex (IC) of DNA/anti DNA antibody, the binding effect of the constructed cells was examined. As compared with the control cells, the CR1- expressed cells showed a higher binding effect to IC in long period, and the binding effect was demonstrated to be mediated by a complement of serum. Anti-CR1 antibody blocking the binding effect indicates that CR1 plays an important role in the removal of IC. Microscopic observation showing that the CR1 expressed cells enhanced the phagocytosis, may suggest that the mechanism of removal of IC involves the ligand-receptor binding and phagocytosis of the constructed cells. This mechanism may be applicable to patients with SLE in removing the excess IC in vivo.