Puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy: ultrastructure, glomerular polyanion, and cell surface markers

Puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy with heavy proteinuria and oedema was induced in rats by 10 consecutive daily subcutaneous injections of aminonucleoside (1.67 mg/100 g of body weight). The main ultrastructural lesions were vacuolation of podocytes and total fusion of foot processes with loss of colloidal iron-reactive polyanion layer on the epithelial surface adjacent to the basement membrane. On the other hand the outer surface of podocytes and intravacuolar granular substance stained with colloidal iron. In scanning electron microscopy of freeze-fractured tissue the swollen podocytes and the urinary spaces displayed granular and filamentous precipitates. Seven cell surface antigens were examined by indirect enzyme immunohistochemistry with a series of MRC OX monoclonal antibodies. Glomeruli of control rats exhibited rare isolated Ia- positive endocapillary cells, possibly monocytes; these elements were significantly reduced in puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy but there was an increase in Ia- positive cells in the cortical interstitium. Control kidneys harboured scanty interstitial T lymphocytes. These latter, especially the T8- positive cytotoxic/suppressor subpopulation, were markedly augmented in puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy. The expression of class I histocompatibility antigens and of differentiation antigens (Thy 1) was not altered by aminonucleoside.