title: Alpha-1-antichymotrypsin in renal biopsies.
abstract: Alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin (alpha 1-AK) and alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) represent a defense mechanism to protect the tissues from proteolytic enzyme activity. We studied the implication of alpha 1-AK and alpha 1-AT in glomeruli of patients with different nephropathies based on the analysis of 52 paraffin-embedded renal biopsies with alpha 1-AK and alpha 1-AT antisera. The results demonstrate an intense alpha 1-AK glomerular staining in renal biopsies from patients with minimal-change disease, while a minor staining of this protein was found in the other nephropathies. No significant evidence of alpha 1-AT deposits was observed in our cases. Our findings suggest that when alpha 1-AK is lacking in glomeruli the defense mechanisms against proteolytic enzymes may not be efficient enough to protect the glomerular structures and limit the damage. Since alpha 1-AK is a reactant of the acute phase of inflammation, it may be considered as a marker of activity for monocyte-macrophages in glomerular damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, S. Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Conz
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Bevilacqua
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ronco
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feriani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brendolan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dell'Aquila
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pietribiasi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Greca
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000737:chemistry; D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D000514:alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin / Q000032:analysis*; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000514:alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin