Differential binding characteristics of native monomeric and polymeric immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) on human mesangial cells and the influence of in vitro deglycosylation of IgA1 molecules

Recent studies had demonstrated that serum and mesangial immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) were polymeric and deglycosylated. The current study was to investigate the binding characteristics of monomeric and polymeric normal human IgA1 on mesangial cells and the influence of in vitro deglycosylation of IgA1 molecules. The normal human IgA1 was desialylated and degalactosylated with specific enzymes, respectively. The monomeric IgA1 (mIgA1) and polymeric IgA1 (pIgA1) were separated by Sephacryl S-300 chromatography. The binding capacities of the mIgA1 and pIgA1 to primary human mesangial cells (HMC) were evaluated by classical radioligand assay. Both the native mIgA1 and pIgA1 could bind to HMC in a dose-dependent and saturable manner. The maximal binding capacity of the native pIgA1 were significantly higher than that of the native mIgA1 (P < 0.05). However, the affinity of the native mIgA1 was almost 100 times higher than that of the native pIgA1. After deglycosylation, binding of the two deglycosylated mIgA1 to HMC could not be detected. However, the maximal binding capacities of the two deglycosylated pIgA1 to HMC were increased significantly compared with that of native pIgA1. The affinity of the two deglycosylated pIgA1 was similar to that of native pIgA1 (P > 0.05). The current study suggests differential binding characteristics of native monomeric and polymeric IgA1 on mesangial cells. Glycosylation of IgA1 molecules could significantly affect the binding of IgA1 on HMC.     

Pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy: In vitro activation of human mesangial cells by IgA immune complex leads to cytokine secretion

IgA immune complex (IC) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). As IgA-IC is not itself cytotoxic, other mediators may be involved in the pathogenesis. In order to elucidate the mechanisms by which IgA-IC mediates renal injury in IgAN, the ability of IgA-IC to ‘activate’ cultured human mesangial cells (HMC) was studied. HMC were incubated with nephritogenic IgA-IC, containing a MOPC-315 plasmacytoma-derived IgA anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) and DNP-conjugated bovine serum albumin. The cells showed morphological changes, an accelerated rate of proliferation, and increased production of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), platelet activating factor (PAF) and generation of superoxide anion. The enhancement of IL-1 and IL-6 mRNA expression in HMC incubated with IgA-IC was identified by dot blot analysis. Northern blot hybridization also demonstrated an augmented IL-6 mRNA expression in HMC treated with IgA-IC. These results suggest that nephritogenic IgA-IC may amplify the proliferation of HMC and the production of immune/chemical mediators and superoxide anion thereby resulting in the renal lesions of IgAN.     

IgA肾病患者血清IgA1与正常人肾小球系膜细胞结合动力学研究

目的:观察IgA肾病(IgAN)患者血清聚合IgA₁(aIgA₁)与体外培养的正常人肾小球系膜细胞(HMC)结合动力学特征, 明确HMC上是否存在特异性IgA₁结合蛋白, 比较IgAN患者及正常人血清aIgA₁与HMC结合力的异同。方法:亲和层析提取血清IgA₁, 加热聚合并用[¹²⁵I]标记, 放射性配基结合法检测aIgA₁与HMC结合力, 用白蛋白、IgG及单体IgA₁(mIgA₁)作竞争抑制实验检测结合特异性, 用正常人及IgAN患者aIgA₁做交叉竞争抑制实验比较二者结合力。结果:正常人及IgAN患者aIgA₁与HMC的结合呈剂量依赖性和饱和性, 这种结合不被白蛋白、IgG阻断, 而被mIgA₁部分阻断, 二者解离常数Kd值分别为(4.3±1.2)×10^-7mol/L和(8.9±2.1)×10^-8ol/L, 差异显著(P<0.05), IgAN患者aIgA₁竞争结合HMC的能力显著高于正常人aIgA₁(P<0.01).结论:①HMC上存在特异性IgA₁结合蛋白。②IgAN患者血清IgA₁与HMC结合力高于正常人IgA₁。     

IgA肾病患者血清IgA1诱导正常人肾小球系膜细胞钙离子释放、转化生长因子β表达上调和纤连蛋白分泌

目的:研究IgA肾病患者血清IgA₁对正常人肾小球系膜细胞(HMC)活化及分泌炎症硬化因子的刺激作用,比较与正常人IgA₁的差异,探讨IgA肾病患者血清IgA₁病理生理作用。方法:亲和层析提取血清IgA₁,加热聚合(aIgA₁),激光共聚焦显微镜检测细胞内游离钙离子(Ca²⁺)释放,RT-PCR法检测细胞内TGF-β mRNA表达,间接竞争ELISA法检测细胞上清纤连蛋白(Fn)含量。结果:IgA肾病患者aIgA₁呈时间依赖性诱导正常HMC细胞内游离Ca²⁺释放、TGF-β mRNA表达和Fn分泌,作用趋势与正常人aIgA₁相同,高峰时间分别为孵育后60 s、24-36 h和36-48 h,但作用强度显著高于正常人aIgA₁;在作用高峰时间,患者组和正常人组Fluo-3最大相对荧光强度增加值分别为(95.83±11.43)和(55.88±12.72),TGF-β／GAPDH的比值分别为0.96±0.06和0.74±0.02,Fn含量分别为(6.45±0.18)μg/L和(5.54±0.43)μg/L,均有显著差异(P<0.05)。结论: IgA肾病患者血清IgA₁可以诱导体外培养的正常HMC活化并分泌炎症硬化因子,其作用较正常人IgA₁强,提示患者血清IgA₁分子与肾小球系膜细胞直接相互作用可能是IgA肾病发病机制之一。     

Self-aggregated deglycosylated IgA1 with or without IgG were associated with the development of IgA nephropathy

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis, with various pathological phenotypes. Our previous study suggested that aberrant glycosylation of serum IgA1 was associated with different pathological phenotypes of IgAN, and substantial evidence indicated that deglycosylated IgA1 had an increased tendency to form macromolecules. The aim of the current study was to investigate the composition of IgA1-containing macromolecules in different pathological phenotypes of IgAN. Sera from 10 patients with mild mesangial proliferative IgAN (mIgAN), 10 with focal proliferative sclerosing IgAN (psIgAN) and 10 healthy blood donors were collected. The sera were applied and IgA1 binding proteins (IgA1-BP) were eluted from the columns immobilized with desialylated IgA1 (DesIgA1/Sepharose) or desialylated/degalactosylated IgA1 (DesDeGalIgA1/Sepharose), respectively. The amounts of IgA1 and IgG and the glycoform of IgA1 in the IgA1-BP were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and were compared between patients with different pathological phenotypes and normal controls. The amount of IgA1 in IgA1-BP eluted from both columns was significantly higher in patients with both pathological phenotypes of IgAN than in normal controls. In IgA1-BP eluted from DesDeGalIgA1/Sepharose, the desialylation of IgA1 was much more pronounced in patients with both pathological phenotypes of IgAN than in normal controls, while the degalactosylation of IgA1 was much more pronounced only in patients with psIgAN than in normal controls. Furthermore, the amount of IgG in IgA1-BP eluted from DesDeGalIgA1/Sepharose was significantly higher in patients with psIgAN than in normal controls. In patients with psIgAN, the amount of IgG eluted from DesDeGalIgA1/Sepharose was much greater than from DesIgA1/Sepharose. In conclusion, self-aggregated deglycosylated IgA1 with or without IgG were associated with the development of IgAN.     

糖基化异常IgA1自身聚合或与IgG形成的大分子可能与IgA肾病病理表型相关

目的 IgA肾病是最常见的原发性肾小球疾病之一,其临床病理表型多种多样.血清中糖基化异常的IgA1及其与其他免疫球蛋白所形成的大分子复合物可能是本病重要的发病原因.本文探讨IgA1大分子复合物的组成和结构特征,及其与IgA肾病不同病理表型之间的关系.方法 制备偶联有去唾液酸IgA1（DesIgA1）和去唾液酸去半乳糖IgA1（DesDeGalIgA1）的琼脂糖亲和层析柱（DesIgA1/Sepharose,DesDeGalIgA1/Sepharose）.取10名轻度系膜增生性IgA肾病患者、10名局灶增生硬化性IgA肾病患者及10名正常人血清,分别经DesIgA1/Sepharose和DesDeGalIgA1/Sepharose分离,测定IgA1结合蛋白（IgA1-BP）含量及其中IgA1和IgG浓度,并检测IgA1-BP中IgA1糖基化程度,比较其在IgA肾病不同病理表型间的差别.结果 从两种亲和层析柱上所洗脱的IgA1-BP含量,在不同病理类型IgA肾病患者及正常人间无明显差别.在DesDeGalIgA1/Sepharose上洗脱的IgA1-BP中,两种病理类型IgA肾病患者IgA1唾液酸均严重缺失;在局灶增生硬化性IgA肾病患者中,IgA1分子半乳糖缺失比正常人严重.同时,局灶增生硬化性IgA肾病患者血清中与DesDeGalIgA1/Sepharose结合的IgG的含量显著多于正常人.结论 糖基化缺陷的IgA1自身聚合及与IgG聚合形成的大分子复合物可能与IgA肾病的病理表型相关.     

Possible involvement of mast cells in renal fibrosis in patients with IgA nephropathy

Objective: The objective of the present study is to investigate whether human mast cells (MC) contribute to renal damage through local activation of the renin-angiotensin system, by assessing their numbers in renal biopsy specimens from patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) or minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). Methods: In patients with IgAN and MCNS, the numbers of tryptase-positive MC (MC(T)) and MC positive for both tryptase and chymase (MC(TC)) were examined histopathologically. Serum creatinine level, mean blood pressure and the severity of glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions were also determined. Results: MC(TC) numbers differed between IgAN patients and MCNS patients. IgAN patients had more MC(TC) than MC(T). MC were found around but not in the conglomerate of the AngiotensinII (AngII)-positive cells. In the IgAN patients with the most severe pathology, the number of AngII-positive cells was correlated with that of MC(TC) and MC(T). Conclusion: Chymase-dependent AngII synthesis due to human MC may be involved in the inflammatory and fibrotic processes of IgAN. Received 4 September 2006; returned for revision 27 October 2006; returned for final revision 21 December 2006; accepted by M. Katori 30 May 2007     

Aberrant sialylation of serum IgA1 was associated with prognosis of patients with IgA nephropathy

Aberrant glycosylation of serum IgA1 was considered as an initial event and involvement in the pathogenesis of IgAN. We previously demonstrated that aberrant glycosylation of serum IgA1 was associated with pathologic phenotype of IgAN. The present study is to investigate if abnormal sialylation of IgA1 affects renal survival of IgAN. 127 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN were enrolled and followed up to 8 years. Seventy-nine healthy and 75 patients with non-IgAN renal diseases were selected as controls. Alpha 2, 6 sialic acid (SA) of serum IgA1 was measured by sandwich-ELISA. Renal survival rate was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Alpha 2, 6 SA level in patients with IgAN was lower than that in healthy controls (0.92+/-0.14 vs. 0.98+/-0.12, P=0.001) and non-IgAN glomerulonephritis (0.92+/-0.14 vs. 1.00+/-0.18, n=53, P=0.001). Patients with IgAN in Low SA Group were no significant differences compared with patients in Normal SA Group in age, gender, hypertension, serum creatinine, and excretion of proteinuria. Renal cumulative survival rate was 53.3% in patients in Low SA Group and 83.5% in Normal SA Group (P=0.0008). The lower the alpha 2, 6 SA level of serum IgA1 in patients with IgAN was, the worse their renal survival rate was. Although patients in Low SA Group had worse renal function evaluated by eGFR, there was no significant difference in various CKD stages in non-IgAN renal function controls (n=42, P=0.352). Alpha 2, 6 SA level of serum IgA1 was associated with the prognosis of patients with IgAN and could serve as a predictor of poor prognosis in IgAN.     

A quantitative analysis of the mesangium in children with IgA nephropathy: sequential study

Quantitative analysis of the mesangial matrix and cells was performed on serial renal biopsies from 41 children with IgA nephropathy. In the repeat renal biopsy, nine patients showed a significant increase of mesangial matrix, 29 showed no change and in three there was a significant decrease. Eight of the nine patients (89 per cent) with a matrix increase had persistent proteinuria at the second biopsy, whereas only 14 of the 32 (44 per cent) without a matrix increase had persistent proteinuria (P less than 0.05). Although the mesangial matrix increased in patients with persistent proteinuria, there was no decrease in patients with clinical remission. In contrast to the mesangial matrix, mesangial cells significantly decreased in 23 patients, did not change in 16, and significantly increased in only two in the second biopsy. These findings suggest that mesangial matrix increase is usually an irreversible change and that persistent proteinuria is associated with matrix increase with worsening in glomerular morphology and clinical outcome. This study indicates the importance of serial renal biopsy in children with IgA nephropathy with persistent proteinuria.     

Altered production of IgE and IgA induced by IL-4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with IgA nephropathy.

In order to elucidate the factors responsible for altered immunoglobulin production in patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the in vitro effects of IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on the synthesis of IgE and IgA by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were studied. Spontaneous IgE and IgA synthesis by PBMC was significantly increased in patients with IgA nephropathy compared with controls. The maximum amounts of IgA and IgE synthesis by PBMC after stimulation with IL-4 were almost the same both in patients with IgAN and in controls. The enhancement rate of IL-4-induced IgE and IgA synthesis was significantly lower in IgAN than in the controls, suggesting in vivo preactivation of PBMC in IgAN patients. IFN-gamma suppressed IgA and IgE synthesis by PBMC from IgAN patients as well as controls. However, the suppressive effect on IgE synthesis was less prominent in patients with IgAN. These results suggested that altered IL-4 action might be involved in the development of IgA nephropathy.     

Abnormalities of the IgA immune system in members of unrelated pedigrees from patients with IgA nephropathy.

In the last few years many investigators have reported the recurrence of primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) or the presence of persistent microhaematuria and/or proteinuria in family members of patients with IgAN. Our study was undertaken to investigate the relevance of abnormalities in the regulation of the IgA and IgM immune system in microhaematuric and asymptomatic family members of IgAN patients. Fifty-four out of 120 members of nine unrelated pedigrees were examined by urinalysis; polymeric IgA (pIgA), IgA rheumatoid factor (IgARF), IgA1-IgG immune complexes (IgA 1-IgG IC) and IgA 1-IgM IC, and other immunoglobulins were measured in serum samples. Moreover, we studied the production of immunoglobulins, pIgA and IgARF by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in basal conditions and after pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulation. Our data demonstrate that persistent microhaematuria was present in 24% of relatives. High serum levels of IgA, mainly pIgA and IgARF, IgA 1-IgG IC and IgA 1-IgM IC occurred in 66% of relatives. Abnormal spontaneous production of IgA by PBMC and after PWM stimulation was present in 64% of family members. Interestingly, high serum levels of IgM and abnormal production of this immunoglobulin by PBMC were observed in relatives. However, the immunological abnormalities did not correlate in any way with the presence of urinary abnormalities such as microhaematuria, which was most likely determined by an underlying glomerular alteration.     

Expression of prorenin receptor in renal biopsies from patients with IgA nephropathy

Prorenin receptor (PRR) has been implicated in the onset and progression of various renal diseases, though its possible association with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy remains unclear. In the present study, we tried to clarify expression and pathophysiological significance of PRR in IgA nephropathy. We immunohistochemically assessed PRR levels in renal biopsy specimens from 48 patients with IgA nephropathy and evaluated its relevance to the clinical and pathological features of the disease. PRR was detected mainly in renal tubular cells, which was confirmed at the subcellular level using immunoelectron microscopy. The PRR-positive area (%PRR area) correlated with daily urinary protein, which is known to reflect disease severity (r=0.286, P=0.049). PRR levels were weaker in tubular cells bordering areas of severe interstitial fibrosis, where α-smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblasts were present. We also used immunohistochemical detection of microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain 3 (LC3) and electron microscopy to assess autophagy, a cytoprotective mechanism downstream of PRR. We noted an apparent coincidence between autophagy activation in tubular cells and PRR expression in the same cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that renal expression of PRR in IgA nephropathy may be a compensatory response slowing disease progression by preventing tubular cell death and subsequent fibrosis through activation of cytoprotective autophagic machinery. Further studies using different type of kidney diseases could draw conclusion if the present finding is a generalized observation beyond IgA nephropathy.     

抗Fas抗体诱导人肾小球系膜细胞凋亡

研究抗Ｆａｓ抗体对人肾小球系膜细胞的致凋亡作用，探讨Ｆａｓ－ＦａｓＬ在肾脏损务中的作用。方法：常规方法分离，培养人肾小球系膜细胞，并传代鉴定，用不同浓度的抗Ｆａｓ抗体刺激４－６代Ｍｃｓ１６ｈ后，荧光染色观察Ｍｃｓ凋亡变化，二苯胺法和ＤＮＡ凝胶电泳方法定量和定性分析ＭｃｓＤＮＡ片段化变化。     

Megsin基因转染对小鼠肾小球系膜细胞单核细胞趋化蛋白-1及细胞间黏附分子-1表达的影响

目的:观察megsin基因转染对高糖环境中肾小球系膜细胞单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1)及细胞间黏附分子-1(ICAM-1)表达的影响。方法:高糖环境中培养小鼠肾小球系膜细胞,分别培养12、24、48 h,采用MTT法检测细胞增殖程度,免疫细胞化学和Western blot法检测系膜细胞megsin、MCP-1、ICAM-1蛋白表达水平,ELISA检测细胞培养上清Ⅳ型胶原浓度。结果:高糖环境中肾小球系膜细胞megsin、MCP-1及ICAM-1表达增强,细胞增殖明显,细胞上清液中Ⅳ型胶原浓度升高,megsin基因转染后上述变化趋势更加显著,而megsin shRNA质粒转染可明显减弱上述变化。结论:Megsin可上调MCP-1及ICAM-1表达,促进系膜细胞增殖及系膜外基质积聚。     

Binding capacity of in vitro deglycosylated IgA1 to human mesangial cells

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common glomerular disease and it is characterized by deposition of IgA1 molecules in mesangium. Recent studies had demonstrated that serum and mesangial IgA1 in IgAN were deglycosylated and IgA1 could bind to human mesangial cells (HMC) through a novel receptor. The aim of the current study is to investigate and compare the binding capacities of different in vitro deglycosylated IgA1 on human mesangial cells. Serum IgA1 was purified by jacalin affinity chromatography and then was desialylated (DesIgA1) and/or degalactosylated (Des/DeGalIgA1) with neuraminidase and/or beta-galactosidase. The efficacy of deglycosylations was assessed by Peanut agglutinin (PNA) and Vicia villosa (VV) lectin. The sizes of normal IgA1 and deglycosylated IgA1 were determined by Sephacryl S-300 chromatography and binding capacities to primary HMC were evaluated by radioligand binding assays. Normal IgA1 and deglycosylated IgA1 could bind to HMC in a dose-dependent, saturable manner. The maximal binding capacities and binding sites/cell of DesIgA1 and Des/DeGalIgA were significantly higher than that of normal IgA1. However, more aggregated IgA1 was found in DesIgA1 and Des/DeGalIgA1. Scatchard analysis revealed a similar Kd of normal IgA1 and deglycosylated IgA1. The current study suggested that the binding capacities of DesIgA1 and Des/DeGalIgA1 to HMC were significantly higher than that of normal IgA1, which at least in part was due to more macromolecular IgA1 in deglycoslated IgA1. However, there were no significant differences in the affinities of normal IgA1, DesIgA1 and Des/DeGalIgA1 with HMC. Deglycosylated IgA1 might play an important role in pathogenesis of IgAN.     

Immunopathological features of palatine tonsil characteristic of IgA nephropathy: IgA1 localization in follicular dendritic cells

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is generally thought to be mediated by the glomerular deposition of circulating immune complexes containing IgA as the major antibody component. Upper respiratory infections and tonsillitis often precede IgAN. and in some cases tonsillectomy is affective for the (treatment of IgAN. Thus, the tonsil seems to be a unique organ causing initial and/or progressive events to generate nephritogenic immune complexes in IgAN. in this study we focused on the analysis of immunopathological features of the palatine tonsil characteristic of IgAN patients by using an immunohistochemical technique. The IgAl subclass was demonstrated in follicular dendritic cells (FDC) of the tonsil of IgAN patients, but not in FDC of non-IgAN controls. On the other hand, IgA2, IgG, IgM and C3 did not show any differences in distribution between the two groups. Moreover, the expression of decay-accelerating factor (DAF), an inhibitor of homologous complement activation, and transforming growth factor-beta I (TGF-/β1). an inducer of antibody-producing ceils to IgA class switching, in FDC and interdigitating dendritic cells of the tonsil, respectively, which was also clarified in this study for the first time, was found to be identically distributed in the two groups. These findings may support the idea that IgA1. possibly in an immune complex form, is trapped by FDC and plays an important role in the persistent activation of particular B cell repertoires responsible for ihe onset and/or progression of IgAN.     

Immune response of tonsillar lymphocytes to Haemophilus parainfluenzae in patients with IgA nephropathy

The pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is unclear. We have previously shown glomerular deposition of Haemophilus parainfluenzae (HPI) antigens and the presence of IgA antibody against HPI antigens in patients with IgAN. We examined the immune response to HPI antigens in tonsillar lymphocytes from patients with IgAN. Lymphocytes isolated from the palatine tonsils of 13 IgAN patients and 16 patients with chronic tonsillitis but without renal disease were used as controls. We examined lymphocyte proliferation and production of IgA antibody against HPI antigens by measuring thymidine uptake and IgA antibody in culture supernatants after lymphocyte incubation with HPI antigens. Patients with IgAN showed a significantly higher stimulation index to HPI antigens (thymidine incorporation in tonsillar lymphocytes with HPI/thymidine incorporation in unstimulated tonsillar lymphocytes) than controls (P < 0.002). Lymphocytes from patients with IgAN also showed a significantly higher level of IgA antibody and IgA1 antibody against HPI antigens in culture supernatants than lymphocytes from controls (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.004, respectively). Our results suggest that HPI antigens stimulate tonsillar T and B lymphocytes in patients with IgAN and that an immune response to HPI antigens may play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease in some cases.     

The pathology of mesangial IgA nephritis with clinical correlation

Of 710 patients in whom renal biopsies with immunofluorescence, light and electron microscopic and clinical data were available, 239 had idiopathic mesangial IgA nephritis. In these 239 cases IgA was found alone in 45.7%, accompanied by IgG in 50.1%, IgM in 21.4%, C3 in 82.4% and fibrin in 37.2%. Serum immunoglobulin levels including IgA were not significantly raised, and complement C3 activation was via the alternative pathway. There was a wide range of glomerular lesions with minor change, minor change with focal and segmental lesions including sclerosis and mesangial cell hypercellularity, diffuse mesangial cell proliferation and, infrequently, diffuse sclerosing glomerulonephritis. The glomerular lesions were related to the stage, duration and severity of the disease. There was also a wide variability of clinical presentations, with asymptomatic and symptomatic microscopic haematuria-proteinuria, macroscopic haematuria, recurrent proteinuria, nephrotic syndrome, acute nephritis, hypertension, and uncommonly as acute renal failure and potassium losing nephritis. No aetiological agent was found, and both the streptococcus and HBsAg could not be identified. The disease(s) was the commonest type of primary glomerulonephritis (33.7%) in Singapore, another geographic area in addition to Japan and France, where this lesion has an apparent high incidence.     

A quantitative study of glomerular basement membrane changes in IgA nephropathy

A quantitative study of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) changes in 16 cases of IgA nephropathy was carried out on two whole glomeruli per case using a wide-field electron microscope. We found that GBM changes are observed more frequently than previously reported, although some changes are small and uneven in distribution. Changes include (a) attenuation, (b) lytic attenuation, (c) garland-shaped widening of the GBM, (d) dome-shaped widening of the GBM, and (e) disruption of the GBM. There was some correlation between the severity of light microscopic findings and the percentage of GBM affected by complicated changes ((b)-(e)). The percentage of complicated GBM changes correlated with the amount of proteinuria at biopsy. The frequent occurrence of GBM changes in IgA nephropathy suggests that they might be playing a role in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy.