AIM: To investigate the role of CD134 (OX40) and NF-?B in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN). METHODS: Renal in situ CD134 and NF-?B expression were examined in 40 biopsy specimens from LN patients by immunohistochemistry and microwave-based immunohistochemistry, respectively. The relationship between expression of CD134 and NF-?B was analyzed. RESULTS: The expression of glomerular and tubular CD134 and NF-?B in LN were higher than that in normal control, especially in class Ⅳ LN, where there was intense staining of endothelial cell, distal tubules, and interstitial mononuclear cell. The CD134 expression of glomerular and tubular was closely related to NF-?B expression, respectively ( r=0.5542,P