Detection of cationic and non-cationic markers in the rat glomerulus by electron probe analysis

Acidic glycans (glomerular polyanion substances) in the rat kidney were visualized ultrastructurally by three cationic markers: colloidal iron, ruthenium red, and polyethylenimine-phosphotungstic acid (PEI-PTA). Heavy metal atoms (Fe, Ru and W) were detected in ultrathin sections by energy-dispersive electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Characteristic peaks of the locally bound elements were obtained in spectra derived from the dense structures seen by transmission electron microscopy (TEM)--i.e. the glycocalyx of podocytes and/or the polyanion sites in the lamina rara externa of the glomerular basement membrane. Weaker signals were emitted by some extraglomerular structures. This finding may reflect a low concentration of glycans in structures lacking apparent density by TEM, and/or incomplete specificity of the markers, partial dislocation of reactive substances or the presence of an endogenous element (Fe). Experimental argyrosis was elicited by the peroral administration of silver nitrate. Dense Ag precipitates were seen chiefly in the lamina densa and characteristic peaks of silver were displayed in this site by EPMA, and was best demonstrated in non-contrasted sections. A single i.v. injection of Ag proteinate failed to produce glomerular pigmentation. The only dense granular product in tubular cells yielded characteristic peaks of Fe (endogenous siderosomes) but EPMA excluded detectable amounts of silver.