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Discordant renal histopathologic findings and complement profiles in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type
K E Meyers1, C F Strife, C Witzleben
1Division of Nephrology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Abstract:
Patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type III and a low serum C3 concentration tend to have evidence for a nephritic factor of the terminal complement pathway (Nft). Complement profiles were studied in three patients with MPGN type III and low serum C3 concentrations. Serum C3 concentrations were 52, 21, and 14 mg/dL (normal range, 83 to 177 mg/dL). Serum Clq, C2, C4, properdin, and C5 concentrations were normal in all patients, whereas two had a slight decrease of C7 or C8. This pattern of complement activation resembles that seen with MPGN type II in which a nephritic factor activates the amplification loop (NFa). We conclude that in patients with MPGN type III the previously reported profile/presence of Nft is not always found, at least in the chronic stage of the disease, despite a low C3 value.
Insights
Patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type III often show low C3 levels. However, the specific complement activator, nephritic factor (Nft), may not always be present in chronic stages of this kidney disease.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Complement System Biology
Background:
- Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type III is a kidney disease.
- Low serum C3 concentration is a common finding in MPGN type III.
- Nephritic factor of the terminal complement pathway (Nft) is often associated with MPGN type III and low C3.