DISTRIBUTION OF IGG SUBCLASSES IN MEMBRANOUS NEPHROPATHY

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 58  (1) , 57-62
Abstract
The distribution of human IgG subclasses among the glomerular deposits in human membranous nephropathy was examined by immunofluorescence with subclass specific monoclonal antibodies. Large amounts of granular deposits of IgG4 were identified along the capillary loops in all 12 patients; patients had small amounts of IgG1 deposits. Neither IgG2 nor IgG3 deposits were detectable in any of the patients. On the contrary, all 4 IgG subclasses were detected in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and lupus nephritis with a predominance of IgG1 and IgG3. IgG4 is apparently predominant in the glomerular deposits in membranous nephropathy and may play an improtant role in its pathogenesis.