1984 Volume 26 Issue 8 Pages 1131-1142
The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of circulating immune complexes and serum complements in various types of glomerulonephritides. Circulating immune complex and serum complement were evaluated in 100 children with types of various glomerulonephritides. Circulating immune complexes, CH50 and protein concentration of serum components were measured by the conglutinin binding test, Mayer's method and the single radial immunodiffusion test respectively . Hemolytic activities of the complement components were measured using intermediate cells and reagents.The following results were obtained, 1. Circulating immune complexes were frequently detected in various types of glomerulonephritides except for hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS).2. Circulating immune complexes were not usually detected in primary membranonephritis, but it was often detected in HB nephropathy. This suggested that the pathogenesis of these membranonephritides is different.3. In acute glomerulonephritis (AGN), serum C5 returned to the normal level simultaneously with, or earlier than serum CH50.4. In mixed connective tissue disease, serum complement and circulating immune complexes were useful in the evaluation of disease condition.5. IgG or IgA containing immune complexes were important in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis. These immune complexes were detected for a long period in the course of IgA nephropathy but only in the acute phase of Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis. These results indicate that measurements of circulating immune complexes and serum complement are useful in the evaluation of disease conditions and in the determination of pathogenesis.
