Mesangiolysis: an update

Mesangiolysis occurs in many renal diseases, both human and experimental. At least three types of mesangiolysis may be recognized, which differ in their mode of origin and in morphologic features. The first type is severe mesangiolysis with formation of glomerular cysts and subsequent cellular proliferation resembling glomerulonephritis. In the second type, mesangiolysis is associated with extensive widening of the subendothelial space and is thought to follow endothelial injury. The third type is mesangiolysis with lamellated mesangial nodules which is believed to result from relatively mild but persistent or recurrent localized mesangial, and perhaps also endothelial damage, with lysis of mesangial anchor points.