Clinical Study

Significance of Glomerular Deposition of C3c and C3d in IgA Nephropathy
Hiroko Nakagawa^a, Satoru Suzuki^b, Masakazu Haneda^a, Fumitake Gejyo^c, Ryuichi Kikkawa<sup>a

a</sup>Third Department of Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga;
^bDepartment of Clinical and Laboratory Medicine, Fukui Medical University, Fukui;
^cDepartment of Medicine (II), Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata, Japan

Address of Corresponding Author

Am J Nephrol 2000;20:122-128 (DOI: 10.1159/000013568)

  Key Words

• IgA nephropathy
• Complement breakdown products
• Disease activity

  Abstract

Background: Complement activation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. The clinico-pathological significance of the glomerular deposition of complement breakdown products, C3c and C3d in IgA nephropathy remains to be clarified. Methods: We examined the relationship between glomerular staining patterns of C3c and C3d and clinico-pathological findings with 163 patients with IgA nephropathy. Renal biopsy specimens were stained with C3c and C3d by immunofluorescence, and patients were divided into the following two groups: the intensity of C3c deposition stronger than C3d deposition, or equal to it (group A); the intensity of C3d deposition stronger than C3c deposition (group B). Results: In group A, the incidence of severe hematuria (over 20 urinary red blood cells in high-power field microscope (×400)) or of higher urinary fibrinogen degenerated products (over 0.1 µg/ml) was significantly higher than that in group B. In addition, group A showed a significant decrease in the glomerular filtration rate. Group A also showed a significantly higher incidence of glomerular endocapillary proliferation than in group B. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the glomerular deposition of C3c is associated with the inflammatory active phase of glomeruli in IgA nephropathy.

Copyright © 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Masakazu Haneda, MD
Third Department of Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science
Seta, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192 (Japan)
Tel. +81 77 548 2222, Fax +81 77 543 3858
E-Mail haneda@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp

  Article Information

Received: Received: April 9, 1999
Accepted: October 28, 1999
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 37