Ultrastructural distribution of von Willebrand factor in human glomerular diseases.
The distribution of the von Willebrand factor (vWF) as the factor-VIII-related antigen in glomeruli was examined by immunoelectron microscopy in 10 patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN), 8 patients with minimal-change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), and 11 patients with IgA nephropathy (IgA-N). Electron-dense reaction products of vWF were observed in the endothelium and mesangium in all specimens examined. However, they were not detected in subepithelial electron-dense deposits of MN. The amount of electron-dense reaction products of vWF in the endothelium was significantly higher in MN than that in MCNS or IgA-N. This finding suggests that the glomerular endothelium in MN is the site of the local activation of coagulation and platelet aggregation system in glomerular capillary wall lesions.
Ono
T
T
Department of Internal Medicine, Amagasaki Hospital, Japan.
Kanatsu
K
K
Doi
T
T
Sekita
K
K
Onoe
C
C
Nagai
H
H
Muso
E
E
Yoshida
H
H
Tamura
T
T
Kawai
C
C
D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000378:metabolism*; D015433:Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis*
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D014841:von Willebrand Factor