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Intraglomerular fibronectin in rat experimental glomerulonephritis
T Yoneyama1, M Nagase, M Ikeya
1First Department of Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan.
Virchows Archiv. B, Cell Pathology Including Molecular Pathology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
In Heymann nephritis, fibronectin deposits in the glomerular basement membrane originate from plasma, unlike in nephrotoxic serum nephritis where it reflects mesangial extension.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunopathology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Glomerular fibronectin deposition is a hallmark of certain kidney diseases.
- Understanding fibronectin's origin is crucial for diagnosing and treating nephropathies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms of glomerular pericapillary fibronectin deposition in human membranous nephropathy and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.
- To differentiate fibronectin origins in experimental rat models of Heymann nephritis and nephrotoxic serum nephritis.
Main Methods:
- Light and electron microscopy were used to examine intraglomerular fibronectin distribution.
- Immunoelectron microscopy with the immunogold technique identified fibronectin localization.
- In vitro incubation with fluorescently labeled plasma fibronectin assessed glomerular basement membrane affinity.
Main Results:
- In normal glomeruli, fibronectin was found in mesangial areas and the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) lamina densa.
- In nephrotoxic serum nephritis, fibronectin localized around mesangial cells, suggesting mesangial extension.
- In Heymann nephritis, fibronectin was uniformly distributed within the GBM and showed affinity for plasma fibronectin.
Conclusions:
- Pericapillary fibronectin in nephrotoxic serum nephritis likely arises from mesangial cell activity.
- Fibronectin deposition in the GBM in Heymann nephritis appears to originate from circulating plasma fibronectin.
- The GBM in Heymann nephritis exhibits a specific affinity for plasma fibronectin.