Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
Published on: June 8, 2022
Fibrillary glomerulonephritis and immunotactoid glomerulopathy
Charles E Alpers1, Jolanta Kowalewska
1Department of Pathology, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356100, NE110, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. calp@u.washington.edu
Fibrillary glomerulonephritis, a kidney disease found in 1% of biopsies, involves unique glomerular fibrils. It is distinct from immunotactoid glomerulopathy, though its cause remains unknown.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pathology
- Immunology
Background:
- Fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN) is an increasingly recognized kidney disease.
- It accounts for approximately 1% of native kidney biopsies in Western populations.
Observation:
- FGN is characterized by glomerular infiltration with randomly arranged fibrils.
- These fibrils resemble amyloid but are larger and do not stain with typical amyloid dyes.
- FGN is generally distinguished from immunotactoid glomerulopathy (ITG), which features microtubular deposits.
Findings:
- The study highlights the distinct morphological features of FGN.
- It differentiates FGN from ITG based on fibril versus microtubule substructure.
- The underlying pathophysiology of fibril or microtubule formation in these glomerular diseases is not yet understood.
Implications:
- Accurate diagnosis of FGN is crucial for patient management.
- Further research into the pathophysiology of FGN and ITG may reveal novel therapeutic targets.
- Understanding these entities aids in distinguishing them from other proteinuric kidney diseases.
More Related Videos
06:35An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
Published on: February 8, 2019
06:02Experimental Approaches for Biochemical Analysis of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Its Disease-associated Variants
Published on: November 28, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Amyloid Fibrils
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...
Amyloid Fibrils
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
Renal Corpuscle
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous capillaries...
Diabetic Nephropathy