Circulating soluble CD30 is associated with renal tertiary lymphoid structures and the progression of IgA nephropathy

Background Renal tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are involved in renal pathology and prognosis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). CD30 and its ligands participate in the formation of renal TLSs. However, the relationship between circulating CD30 and renal prognosis is unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between circulating CD30 and prognosis in patients with IgAN. Methods We conducted a retrospective study including 351 patients with biopsy proved IgAN. We collected clinical and pathologic features at the time of biopsy and recorded renal follow-up outcomes. Circulating CD30 levels in IgAN patients at the time of biopsy were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The association between elevated CD30 levels and the composite endpoint (defined as a ≥ 50 % decline in eGFR from baseline, end-stage renal disease, or death) was investigated using Cox regression analysis. Results During a median follow-up period of 5.12 years, 44 (12.5 %) patients in the cohort reached the composite endpoint. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis revealed a significant association between higher circulating CD30 levels and a poorer renal prognosis (log-rank P < 0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that high CD30 was an independent factor for the composite endpoints in multivariable-adjusted models (HR 3.397, 95 % CI: 1.230–9.384, P = 0.018). These associations were also observed in a subgroup of patients with concomitant renal TLSs formation (10.443, 95 % CI: 1.680–65.545, P = 0.012), proteinuria > 1 g/d (HR 12.287, 95 % CI: 1.499–100.711, P = 0.019), and female patients (HR 22.372, 95 % CI: 1.797–278.520, P = 0.016). Conclusion Elevated level of circulating CD30 is an independent risk factor for renal disease progression in patients with IgAN.