Regional distribution of sulfatide in human kidney, and anti-sulfatide antibodies in sera from patients with nephritis detected by TLC immunostaining]

Glycolipids were isolated from lipid extract of human kidney. The major neutral glycolipids have been identified as ceramide monohexoside (CMH), ceramide dihexoside (CDH), ceramide trihexoside (CTH), and globoside. As the major acidic glycolipids, Gal Cer sulfate (sulfatide), Lac Cer sulfate, GM3, sialosyl paragloboside, GD3, and disialosyl paragloboside were identified and the most abundant component was sulfatide. Sulfatide was 2 times more concentrated in medulla compared to cortex. In addition, the localization of sulfatide antigen was determined in renal sections by immunoperoxidase staining method. Strong positive staining with sulfatide was observed in distal tubules, limbs of Henle's loop and collecting tubules of normal tissue, whereas glomeruli were negative of staining. However, positive results of glomerular epithelial cells occurred in FSGS and IgA nephropathy so far. Acidic fraction of lipid extract were chromatographed and then tested for antigen by immunostaining. Sera from patients with nephritis contain antibodies to the sulfatides of human kidney as determined by the direct binding of antibody to thin-layer chromatograms. These results suggest that sulfatide antigen may play important role in the occurrence and aggravation of glomerular diseases.