Glomerular lesions in experimental renal papillary necrosis. I. Ultrastructural aspects and some pathogenic considerations.

Papillary necrosis was induced in rats by a single intravenous injection of bromoethylamine hydrobromide (BEA). From 7 days on glomerular lesions were recognized. They consisted of electron dense deposits mainly subepithelial in location; mild mesangial hypercellularity and matrix increase. Immunofluorescence with anti-rat gammaglobulin was positive, showing granular fluorescence in relation with basement membrane and mesangium. The possibility is raised that these lesions are due to the pathogenic action of immune complexes, the antigen being one arising during the necrosis of the renal papilla. It is also suggested that this mechanism can be operative in ths human being in cases of papillary necrosis of the kidney.