Immunopathological similarities between IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schoenlein purpura (HSP) nephritis

A study on the immunopathological similarities between IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schoenlein purpura (HSP) nephritis is described. Various examinations were performed as follows. (1) Pathological studies: light microscopic findings and immunofluorescent staining; (2) Measurement of the levels of IgA in pharyngeal washings and sera, and those of IgA quantitated by radial immunodiffusion; (3) Elution studies: renal biopsy specimens obtained from patients with IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis were treated with citrate buffer (pH 3.2) and the "eluate" was neutralized by sodium hydroxide. The "eluate" was then applied to the acid-treated sections obtained from the same and other patients with IgA nephropathy as well as sections from patients with HSP nephritis and other glomerular diseases. The sections were stained with FITC-conjugated heavy chain specific antihuman IgA antisera and then examined with a fluorescent microscope. There were no differences in pathological findings of IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis in the light microscopic and immunofluorescent examinations. The levels of IgA in pharyngeal washings and sera were significantly increased in patients with both diseases. IgA antibodies deposited in kidneys from patients with HSP nephritis crossreacted with kidneys from some patients with IgA nephropathy, and vice versa. However, antibodies from patients with IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis did not react with normal glomeruli or other nephritic glomeruli. It is concluded that there are some immunopathological similarities between IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis.