Quantitative analysis on the localization of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan in renal tissues of patients with calcium nephrolithiasis

Previous studies have shown a significant decrease of heparin sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) in the basement membrane of the glomerulus and the mucosa of the ureter/renal pelvis in patients with calcium nephrolithiasis. In this study, we looked at the localization of another influential proteoglycan, chondroitin sulfate (CSPG), using similar study groups by indirect immunofluorescence staining. Microscopic images were digitized and image analysis was used to quantitate the staining intensity of CSPG present in the basement membrane of the nephron. Our data showed significant loss of CSPG in the Bowman's capsule and the basement membrane of the mucosa of the ureter/renal pelvis using Mann-Whitney U-Wilcoxon Rank Sum W test with P-values of 0.0043 and 0.0041, respectively. However, absence of staining was noted in the basement membrane of the glomerulus and no significant change in the basement membrane of the tubular epithelium was observed. In conclusion, our results showed changes in the localization of CSPG in the basement membrane of the nephron, accompanied with HSPG, which may contribute to the pathological condition of calcium nephrolithiasis. Received: 9 July 1997 / Accepted: 2 January 1998