Variation in charge on red cells of patients with different glomerulopathies

The negative charge on the surface of red blood cells may reflect the charge on the glomerular capillaries. Measurements were made of the charge on the red cells of patients with minimal change nephropathy (MCN), membranous nephropathy (IMN), and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) during complete or partial remission. The charge was significantly less in patients with MCN and IMN than in patients with IgAN. Since blood was taken during clinical remission, the differences probably represent the pre-morbid state. Low charge was associated with MCN and IMN, which usually present with heavy proteinuria, and high charge with IgA nephropathy, in which heavy proteinuria is rare. Patients with low red-cell charge are, therefore, susceptible to the development of heavy proteinuria and patients with high charge are protected. The site of deposition or formation of immune complexes may also be determined indirectly by charge.