Lipoprotein glomerulopathy: first report in a Chinese male

Only seven patients with lipoprotein glomerulopathy have been reported, all in Japanese subjects. We describe the first Chinese patient with lipoprotein glomerulopathy, a 28-year-old man followed for 8 years. As in all patients described thus far, our patient has hyperlipoproteinemia phenotypically similar to the familial type III hyperlipoproteinemia, a high serum level of apolipoprotein E (apo E) (but with the heterozygous E 2/3 isoform instead of the E 2/2 isoform), and the absence of the typical clinical features associated with type III hyperlipoproteinemia. The common clinical presentation is the nephrotic syndrome. The characteristic pathologic features are concentrically layered vacuolated lipid "thrombi" in distended glomerular capillary lumens that contain beta/pre-beta lipoprotein. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrate lipoprotein "thrombi" staining for apo E and apo B, but not apo A-I, apo A-II, or apo J. Immunoglobulins, complement, and fibrin are absent or present in trace amounts. The long-term follow-up demonstrates progressive deterioration of renal function despite lipolytic therapy. The apparent predilection of lipoprotein glomerulopathy in Orientals, particularly Japanese subjects, is poorly understood, but appears to be related to genetic factors. The cause of the hyperlipoproteinemia and lipoprotein "thrombi" containing apo E and apo B is unknown, but is possibly related to defective receptor-binding mechanisms.