Objective To observe the expression of heparanase (Hpa) in the peripheral lymphocytes and renal tissue of patients with progressive chronic nephritis

and to investigate the correlation between the expressions and inflammatory cell infiltration.  Methods Totally 30 cases with chronic nephritis in progression and 10 individuals as healthy donors for kidney transplantation were subjected. RT-PCR was used to determine the Hpa mRNA expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes

and immunohistochemical staining was used to paraffin sections of renal tissue to determine Hpa expression. The inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in renal tissue.  Results Hpa mRNA expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes was significantly higher in chronic nephritis than normal control (P0.05). Immunohistochemical staining indicated that there was Hpa expression in infiltrated inflammatory cells in glomerulus and fibrotic tubule stroma of chronic nephritis

while only very low Hpa expression was found in glomerulus of normal donor (P0.05). Therefore

Hpa expression became stronger with more inflammatory cells infiltrating to renal tissue.  Conclusion There is high Hpa expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes of chronic nephritis

and there might be a positive correlation between inflammatory cell infiltration and high Hpa expression in renal tissue.