Immunofluorescent studies on acute phase reactants in patients with various types of chronic glomerulonephritis

A study on immunofluorescent staining of so-called "acute phase reactants" (haptoglobin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 1-antitypsin) and beta-lipoprotein in patients with various types of chronic glomerulonephritis is described. Eight patients with IgA nephropathy, eleven patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis, six patients with benign recurrent hematuria, four patients with membranous nephropathy and one patient with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSP nephritis) were examined. Deposition of haptoglobin was observed in patients with IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis, and that of beta-lipoprotein was observed in various types of chronic glomerulonephritis. There was a significant correlation between the degree of deposition of haptoglobin and that of hematuria in patients with IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis. It is suggested that deposition of haptoglobin and beta-lipoprotein may be related to "hemolysis" in glomeruli and increased permeability of glomerular capillary walls in kidneys with various types of chronic glomerulonephritis.