Evaluation of the staining findings of immunofluorescence in unfixed or fixed renal biopsy specimens from patients with IgA nephropathy and membranous nephropathy.

Abstract

A study on the evaluation of staining findings of immunofluorescence in unfixed or fixed renal biopsy specimens is described. Renal biopsy specimens obtained from ten patients with IgA nephropathy and membranous nephropathy were embedded in gelatin or paraffin matrix. Renal biopsy specimens embedded in paraffin matrix were digested with 0.05% protease. The specimens were stained with FITC-conjugated anti-human IgA, IgG, IgM or C3 antisera at 4 degrees C overnight. IgA, IgG or IgM were markedly observed in glomeruli using unfixed materials embedded in gelatin matrix or 10% neutral buffered formalin fixed materials embedded in paraffin matrix from patients with IgA nephropathy and membranous nephropathy. There was no significant difference in the intensity or distribution of IgA, IgG or IgM deposition among the two different conditions of immunofluorescence in patients with such diseases. Although the deposition of IgA using unfixed materials embedded in gelatin matrix was prominently coarse granular or lumpy in glomeruli from patients with IgA nephropathy, that of IgA using 10% formalin fixed materials embedded in paraffin matrix was fine granular and/or interrupted linear in glomeruli. It was suggested that the immunofluorescence in renal biopsy specimens embedded in paraffin matrix after digestion with protease is useful for the evaluation of immunoglobulins in glomeruli from patients with IgA nephropathy or membranous nephropathy.