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Updated: Sep 12, 2025
Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
Published on: June 30, 2018
Histopathological Examination of Clustering Microspheres and Podocyte Infolding in the Glomerular Basement Membrane
Shingo Nakayama1, Takuo Hirose1,2, Hideaki Hashimoto1
1Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Faculty of Medicine, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Abstract:
Podocyte infolding (PI) in a thickened glomerular basement membrane (GBM) is a rare pathological finding in electron microscopy (EM). We histopathologically evaluated a 57-year-old Japanese male patient with clustering microspheres and PI in the GBM. EM showed clustering microspheres in irregularly thickened GBM and PI into the GBM. Endothelial cells also invaded the GBM on EM. Low-vacuum scanning EM revealed numerous openings or holes in the GBM. Careful examination by EM is needed to identify further cases of clustering microspheres and PI. It is also important to explore these cases using new approaches such as low-vacuum scanning EM.
Insights
Podocyte infolding within thickened glomerular basement membranes, a rare finding, was observed alongside clustering microspheres. Advanced electron microscopy revealed GBM abnormalities and potential new diagnostic approaches.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pathology
- Electron Microscopy
Background:
- Podocyte infolding (PI) and thickened glomerular basement membrane (GBM) are rare findings.
- Electron microscopy (EM) is crucial for identifying these ultrastructural changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To histopathologically evaluate a patient with clustering microspheres and PI in the GBM.
- To investigate the utility of advanced EM techniques in characterizing GBM abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Histopathological evaluation of kidney biopsy.
- Conventional and low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (EM).
Main Results:
- Observed podocyte infolding (PI) and clustering microspheres within an irregularly thickened GBM.
- EM revealed endothelial cell invasion into the GBM.
- Low-vacuum scanning EM identified numerous openings/holes in the GBM.
Conclusions:
- Careful EM examination is essential for diagnosing rare cases of microspheres and PI.
- Low-vacuum scanning EM offers a novel approach for exploring GBM pathology.
