76 and 14 kDa polypeptides, two major components released from amphibian urinary bladder epithelium. Localization and potential role.

Several experimental conditions such as antidiuretic hormone (ADH) challenge, apical treatment with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and mechanical stretching of the tissue are known to increase the insertion of intramembrane particle aggregates and/or granule exocytosis at the apical border of epithelial cells of amphibian urinary bladders. A constant release of 2 peptides of 76 and 14 kDa apparent molecular mass, respectively, was associated with these treatments. The localization of these 2 polypeptides was assessed by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy immunocytochemistry using fluorescent, peroxidase, and colloidal gold probes. The 76 kDa polypeptide appeared to be associated with the cell coat and with the granule content which is released at the apical cell surface. The 14 kDa peptide was also found in the cell coat, and postembedding immunocytochemistry indicates its presence in cytoplasmic subapical vesicles (aggrephores and/or granules). The migration of these 76 and 14 kDa polypeptides in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was modified neither by a treatment at 90 degrees C, nor by the presence or absence of calcium in the medium. Treatment with EGTA did not modify the fluorescence emission of the two peptides and, consequently, they are probably not among the major calcium binding proteins. The addition to the mucosal medium of the stretch extract or of antibodies raised against the 76 and 14 kDa peptides did not modify ADH-induced water permeability. However, a significant decrease of the hydrosmotic response to ADH occurred in subsequent stimulation-washout cycles when the anti-14 kDa peptide antiserum was applied to the mucosal bath. When the bladders were incubated with a stretch extract, we observed a slight alteration of the short-circuit current (Isc), an increase of the basal Na+ transport, and a decrease of the maximal Isc in response to ADH. The 76 kDa protein, released in the apical medium, could play a protective role in the cellular plasma membrane and could participate in the formation of the thick cell coat lining the apical membrane of the granular cells. The 14 kDa protein might be one of the proteins associated with the aggregates, but further studies will be necessary to clarify its exact role in the ADH-induced permeability modifications observed in amphibian urinary bladders.

Immunohistochemical analysis of C3 cleavage fragments, factor H, and the C5b-9 terminal complex of complement in de novo membranous glomerulonephritis occurring in patients with renal transplant.

Fifteen renal biopsies from 13 transplanted patients with de novo membranous nephropathy (DNMN) were investigated by immunofluorescence for the presence of C5b-9 neoantigens of the terminal sequence of complement and for antigens expressed by C3 cleavage fragments. DNMN lesions were classified as stage I, II or III upon light and electron microscopy examination. Seven biopsies were classified as stage I DNMN and 8 stage II-III. All patients were proteinuric. In six biopsies with stage I DNMN, staining for C5b-9 neoantigens was restricted to a fine granular labeling in mesangial areas which was analogous to that seen in normal kidneys in contrast with extensive parietal labeling for IgG, C3d and factor H antigens. In eight biopsies with stage II-III DNMN, the pattern of staining with anti-C5b-9 neoantigens antibodies was similar to that obtained with anti-IgG, anti-C3d and anti-factor H antibodies. These results suggest that in situ activation of the whole complement sequence throughout C5b-9 only occurs on large immune deposits (stage II-III DNMN).

Immunohistochemical study of the C5b-9 complex of complement in human kidneys.

The presence and localization of the C5b-9 neoantigens of the terminal complement sequence, of antigens expressed by cleavage fragments of C3, and of Factor H antigens have been studied by immunohistochemical techniques in morphologically normal adult human kidneys and in biopsy specimens from patients with a wide range of renal diseases with and without immune deposits. In morphologically normal kidneys, C5b-9 neoantigens were observed within all connective matrices (arteriolar media, glomerular basement membrane (GBM), mesangial matrix and tubular basement membrane). The C3d and C3g antigens of the C3dg, and C3bi cleavage fragments of C3 and Factor H antigens were found in similar locations. None of the matrices stained for immunoglobulins. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that C3d, C3g, H antigens and the C5b-9 neoantigens were localized on membranous and vesicular structures embedded in the connective matrices. These structures represent cell membranes shed from adjacent cells as evidenced by their ultrastructural appearance and by the fact that those which were in close vicinity to pedicles within the GBM expressed the C3b receptor antigen, a specific marker for podocyte membranes. Formation of C5b-9 complexes in the shielded environment of connective matrices may explain their persistence over long periods of time in the absence of apparent immunopathological consequences. Biopsies from pathological kidneys were classified into three groups based on the pattern of glomerular staining with anti-C5b-9 antibodies. In the first group, a sparse mesangial labeling was seen, similar to that observed in normal kidneys. In the second group, abundant clusters of C5b-9 were seen in the same location as immune deposits. Activation of the complement system to completion could be documented in the absence of detectable C3 (C3c) antigen in glomeruli. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that C5b-9 neoantigens were present on cell remnants in connective matrices in all specimens that were studied. Labeled cell remnants were present in large amounts in sclerotic matrices. C5b-9 neoantigens were constantly found on old and large immune deposits, and absent or occasionally present on recent and small immune deposits. In membranous nephropathy stage I, proteinuria appeared to be independent of the presence or absence of detectable C5b-9 neoantigens on immune deposits. Thus, the presence of C5b-9 neoantigens in pathological renal tissue does not have an univocal significance, and requires analysis of the localization of the antigens and appropriate controls in order to assess the potential role of C5b-9 in tissue damage.

Structural and cytochemical differentiation of membrane elements of the apical membrane of amphibian urinary bladder epithelial cells. A label fracture study.

It is now generally accepted that ADH-induced increase in water permeability in responsive epithelia is associated with the insertion of specific structures in the apical membrane of epithelial cells. Up to now, these structures have only been recognized in freeze-fractured preparations and their chemical nature is still unknown. In this study, we used the label-fracture method (Pinto da Silva and Kan, J. Cell Biol., 99, 1156-1161, 1984) to investigate the distribution of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) on the luminal plasma membrane of freeze-fractured frog urinary bladder epithelial cells. With label-fracture, the cytochemical markers are seen superimposed with the conventional high resolution image of the E face. Label-fracture of tissue treated for 15 min with WGA and subsequently labeled with colloidal gold coated with ovomucoid showed uniform distribution of gold particles along the exoplasmic fracture face. Stereomicrographs show that the gold label is under the fracture face as it is attached to the outer surface of the membrane. Preincubation of the bladder with WGA for 3 hr induced a segregation of the intramembranous particles of the apical plasma membrane. In this condition, we observed a co-distribution of WGA-gold complexes with the segregated particles on the E face. This indicates that WGA-binding sites are located on glycoproteins which probably comprise the large intramembranous particles dispersed on the exoplasmic faces of freeze-fractured luminal membranes. In contrast, the numerous small intramembrane particles observed on P faces remained evenly distributed even after exposure to WGA and are, therefore, unrelated to WGA receptor sites. After WGA treatment, ADH still induced the formation of aggregates inside the smooth domains. A few WGA-binding sites appeared to be associated to these aggregates.

Glomerular and vascular IgG deposits in HgCl2 nephritis: role of circulating antibodies and of immune complexes.

The respective roles of circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies and of circulating immune complexes in the appearance of glomerular linear and granular IgG deposition during HgCl2-induced glomerulonephritis in the Brown-Norway rat has been studied. Syngeneic kidney transplantations have been performed at various phases of the disease. Results show that circulating antibodies are responsible for linear IgG deposition which did not change to granular deposits during the course of the disease. Electron-dense subepithelial deposits occurred only when circulating immune complexes were detected. These experiments strongly suggest that, in the mercury model, circulating immune complexes are responsible for granular IgG deposits observed in arteries and in the subepithelial space of glomeruli.

Immunoelectron microscopic study of plasma protein pathways through the abnormal intestinal vasculature of HgCl2 induced immune disease in brown Norway rats.

Localization of immune deposits (ID) and the pathway of circulating serum proteins through the intestinal vasculature have been studied in 40 Brown Norway (BN) rats poisoned by mercuric chloride, using anti-peroxidase IgG as tracer. ID were found in all vessels but were initially detected along the epithelial basement membrane of villi and in pericytic venules and veins. ID were found in all the layers of the vessel walls. In pericytic or myocytic vessels, no ID were detected outside the adventitial lamina densa. ID trapped non immune IgG. Abnormal pathways were only found in venular capillaries and in pericytic venules with large gaps between endothelial junctions. ID were particularly abundant in these vessels.

Effects of decomplementation on mercuric chloride-induced glomerulonephritis in Brown-Norway rats.

The course of mercuric chloride-induced immune glomerulonephritis is characterized by complement activation, intensive proteinuria, linear and then granular IgG and C3 deposits in the glomeruli. To assess the role of complement activation in the occurrence of the disease, decomplementation was achieved by intravenous injections of cobra venom factor in rats injected with mercuric chloride. In these animals, proteinuria still appeared while rats were decomplemented by cobra venom factor through the alternative pathway. These rats exhibited linear IgG deposits without detectable C3 deposits. In the rats injected with cobra venom factor alone, no proteinuria, no classical pathway complement activation and no renal IgG or C3 deposits were observed. Therefore, in Brown-Norway rats intoxicated with mercuric chloride, proteinuria appears to be at least in part complement independent.

Immunoelectron microscopic study of plasma protein pathways through the different segments of the rat intestinal vasculature.

Nineteen Brown-Norway (BN) rats received intravenous injections of sheep anti-peroxidase (HRP) antibodies. Four BN rats were immunized to HRP. The anti-HRP antibodies were used to trace permeability pathways of large physiological molecules across different vessels of the small intestine. This organ was chosen because of the possibility of convenient "in situ" fixation and for the diversity of vessel types it contains. It was shown that: 1) There were no obvious transendothelial pathways in arteries with an elastic lamina. 2) The antibodies readily crossed fenestrated capillaries through the fenestrae. 3) There were two possible pathways through muscle capillaries and pericytic venules, namely transcytoplasmic vesicular "cactus-like" channels and interendothelial junctions. 4) Interendothelial permeability was a possible factor in veins with an elastic lamina. 5) Lymphatics were readily permeable through intercellular junctions and cytoplasmic vesicles.

Ultrastructural study of nephritis induced in Brown Norway rats by mercuric chloride.

Chronic intoxication by mercuric chloride induces a two-phased nephropathy in Brown Norway rats characterized at first by a linear fixation of antiglomerular basement membrane antibody, then by a granular arteriolar and glomerular fixation of IgG superimposed on the linear one. On the 8th and 9th days, concomitant with the glomerular fixation of antiglomerular basement membrane antibodies, electron microscopy studies demonstrated an influx of monocytes into the glomerular and interstitial capillaries and a focal detachment of the glomerular endothelial cells. On the 14th and 15th days, subendothelial heterogeneous material and scattered subepithelial deposits appeared in glomeruli. By the 60th day, no cellular infiltration nor glomerular endothelial alterations persisted. Subepithelial glomerular deposits were seen in half of the animals, and abnormal deposits situated between muscular cells of the arteriolar walls were seen in all of them. These observations suggest that the glomerular fixation of antiglomerular basement membrane antibodies induces transient alterations of the inner aspect of the glomerular capillary wall. Arteriolar and subepithelial glomerular deposits confirm the idea that an immune-complex disease replaces the antiglomerular basement membrane antibody-mediated process. The morphologic expression of the transition between these two mechanisms is evident around the 15th day.

Frequency of intraendothelial 'virus-like' particles: an electron microscopy study of 376 human renal biopsies.

Intraendothelial ;virus-like' particles were found in all cases requiring a renal biopsy: in 89% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in 73% of those receiving renal transplants more than one year before, and in 24.5% of all other renal biopsies.