Summary
Renal biopsy specimens from 11 children with Henoch-Schönlein nephritis and 14 with IgA nephropathy were examined by immunoelectron microscopy. The distribution of IgA reaction product (RP) was found to be similar to that of the electron-dense deposits seen with conventional electron microscopy. Deposits of IgA-RP were present in the mesangium and in the subendothelial region of the peripheral glomerular capillary wall in all patients. Subepithelial deposits of IgA-RP were seen in 12 patients. Deposits of IgG-RP were rare and no deposits of IgM-RP were observed. Deposits of C3-RP were found frequently, although they were smaller and less extensive than deposits of IgA-RP. There was no significant difference between Henoch-Schönlein nephritis and IgA nephropathy with regard to immunoelectron microscopy findings. These observations suggest that Henoch-Schönlein nephritis and IgA nephropathy are both forms of mesangiopathic glomerulonephritis caused by immune complexes, mainly composed of IgA.
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Yoshiara, S., Yoshikawa, N. & Matsuo, T. Immunoelectron microscopic study of childhood IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein nephritis. Vichows Archiv A Pathol Anat 412, 95–102 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00716180
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00716180