Clinico-pathological studies of Amyloid-P component in human glomerulopathies

Renal tissues from 171 patients with different glomerulopathies and 6 normal controls were examined by an immunofluorescent technique. Specimens were stained in particular with anti-Amyloid P (AP) antisera, and were also stained for immunoglobulins and complement. The intensity and distribution pattern of AP staining were studied. The AP staining revealed a faint/linear pattern in normal controls, and was granular and linear in pathological specimens. The distribution of AP was found to be mesangial, capillary and mesangiocapillary. According to the degree of AP intensity, the patients were divided into two groups: group I (56 patients) exhibiting a faint intensity as seen in the normal controls, and group II (115 patients) with a strong intensity. The histological findings and laboratory data were compared between the two groups as well as among patients with different diseases. The incidence of sclerotic lesions and the amount of proteinuria were significantly higher in group II than in group I. Increased amounts of AP deposition in different glomerular diseases thus appear to be related to a diminished renal function or glomerular damage.