[One of the possible mechanisms of development and progression of chronic glomerulonephritis]

Proceeding from clinical examination of 430 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (GN) and morphological, histochemical and biochemical studies on kidney biopsy specimens the author has proposed and substantiated a hypothesis, according to which prolonged raised protein reabsorption in cells of the proximal tubules (PT) of the kidney can cause breakage and distortion of the activity of transport systems responsible for the absorption and catabolism of macromolecules. These changes can result in PT cell breakage, escape of lysosomal enzymes into the lumen and basal membrane of PT cells and pericanalicular interstice with further development of cortical interstitial sclerosis. The combination of the above mentioned disturbances would lead to GN progression and development of renal insufficiency.