Lipoprotein glomerulopathy: clinical features and pathological characteristics in Chinese.
BACKGROUND
Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG), once recognized as a rare glomerular disease, has been reported around the world in recent years. In this study, we reported 8 patients of LPG and aimed to explore the clinical features and pathological characteristics of LPG under light microscope, immunofluorescence staining, and electron microscope.


METHODS
Clinical manifestations were recorded on the day of renal biopsy. Biochemical patterns of lipids and lipoproteins were detected by routine examination. Plasma concentrations of apo B and apo E were determined by radial immunodiffusion assays. Biopsy specimens were then processed for light microscopy, immunohistochemical staining for immunoglobulins and complement components, and electron microscopy. Glomerular deposition of apo A, B, and E were detected using monoclonal antibodies on cryostatic sections.


RESULTS
All of the eight patients presented with edema, microscopic hematuria, severe proteinuria, anemia, and enlarged kidney size. Biochemical profiles revealed high levels of triglycerides, apo B, and apo E. We noted increments of glomerular size and lipoprotein thrombi occupying capillary lumina in the glomeruli of all patients. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the thrombi were strongly positive for apo A, B, and E. Granules and various sizes of vacuoles were observed in the thrombi under electron microscope.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with previous reports on LPG in other countries, unique clinical and pathological features were found in this group of Chinese LPG patients.
Chen
Hui-ping
HP
Research Institute of Nephrology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China. huipingchen1950@yahoo.com.cn
Liu
Zhi-hong
ZH
Gong
Ru-jun
RJ
Tang
Zheng
Z
Zeng
Cai-hong
CH
Zhu
Mao-yan
MY
Wang
Jian-ping
JP
Zhou
Hong
H
Li
Lei-shi
LS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008875:Middle Aged
D008074:Lipoproteins