Alteration of collagen IV in acutely deteriorated renal allografts.
BACKGROUND
The changes in the basement membrane occurring in acutely deteriorated renal allografts (ADR) have not been extensively investigated. Our purpose is to elucidate the alteration of collagen IV, a main constituent of the basement membrane in ADR.


METHODS
Fifty biopsy specimens of ADR and 10 of chronic transplant nephropathy (CTN) were examined with two monoclonal antibodies specific for collagen IV. JK199 and JK132 are monoclonal antibodies that recognize triple helical collagen IV containing the alpha1 chain. JK199 recognizes all the basement membrane containing [alpha1 (IV)]2alpha2(IV), although JK132 reacts only with a limited portion of it. In the normal kidney, JK199 reacts with the mesangial matrix, the basement membrane of Bowman's capsule (BBM), and the tubular basement membrane, as well as with the glomelular basement membrane (GBM). JK132 reacts with the mesangial matrix, BBM, and the tubular basement membrane.


RESULTS
In ADR, increased intensity of JK199 was observed in GBM, the mesangial matrix, BBM, the tubular basement membrane, and the interstitium. Increased intensity of JK132 was observed in the mesangial matrix, BBM, and the tubular basement membrane, but was not remarkable in GBM or the interstitium. In contrast, biopsy specimens of CTN showed increased intensity of JK132 in GBM, the mesangial matrix, BBM, the tubular basement membrane and the interstitium.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that collagen IV is up-regulated in ADR. Differential staining of collagen IV with JK199 and JK132 in GBM and the interstitium may contribute to diagnose CTN.
Utsumi
K
K
Tokyo Women's Medical University, Kidney Center, Department of Surgery, Tokyo, Japan.
Shimizu
A
A
Yamato
M
M
Tojimbara
T
T
Nakajima
I
I
Adachi
E
E
Fuchinoue
S
S
Sawada
T
T
D000328:Adult; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D003094:Collagen