Murine lupus nephritis: effect of azathioprine on glomerular permeability and localization of immunoreactants.
We investigated the effect of azathioprine on glomerular permeability and deposition of immunoreactants in NZB/W mice. Glomerular permeability, assessed by proteins excreted in the urine and by a molecular probe of anionic sites of the basement membrane, underwent negligible changes, in comparison to pre-treatment findings, and deposits of immunoreactants were largely mesangial and were decreased overall. Therapy with azathioprine preserved glomerular structure and function by decreasing the amount of immunoreactants, by inducing a preferential mesangial localization of immunoreactants, and, possibly, by interfering with factors that favor the deposition of immunoreactants in the glomerular capillary wall.
D000818:Animals; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB
D003176:Complement C3; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D001379:Azathioprine