1994 Volume 36 Issue 4 Pages 365-373
Molecular organization of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the kidney may change as impairment of renal function progresses. The present Immunohistochemical study of the kidney was designed to compare localization of type I, III, IV, V, and VI collagens between "Group A" (13 patients on main tenance hemodialysis due to diabetic nephropathy) and "Group B" (13 patients with diabetic nephro pathy and massive proteinuria whose serum creatinine levels were 1.3 ± 0.5 mg/dl, mean ± SD). Nodular scleroses that were commonly observed both in Group A (87.8±10.1%) and B (80.5±17.0%) were stained in a very similar way with antibodies against collagen types IV, V, and VI. On the contrary, thickened Bowman's capsules that were observed exclusively in Group A (80.7±10.4% in Group A versus 5.7±6.2% in Group B) were stained intensely with antibodies against collagen types I and III. Normal and expanded peritubular interstitium from every group was stained with all of the above antibodies in an identical manner. Taken together, these results indicated a close relationship between severe impairment of residual renal function and a high incidence of thickened Bowman's capsule rich in type I and III collagens.
