Surface charge distribution is a determinant of antigen deposition in the renal glomerulus: studies employing 'charge-hybrid' molecules.

The deposition of antigens and immune complexes (IC) in the renal glomerulus is charge-dependent. The demonstration that molecules of net anionic charge, but with discrete positively charged regions, exhibit affinity for the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) extends this concept. Charge hybrid (polar) molecules were constructed by covalently coupling small polycations (lysozyme or linear poly-L-lysine chains with a mean of 17 and 20 residues) to larger polyanions (ovalbumin or human serum albumin (HSA]. Although the products were of overall net anionic charge they still bound to glomerular structures. Immunofluorescence studies performed after i.v. injection of the samples into rats revealed that HSA:poly-L-lysine had the highest affinity. Radioisotopic measurements showed uptake of HSA:poly-L-lysine to be a function of the number of lysine residues; binding of HSA:poly-L-lysine20 was 2.5 times higher than HSA:poly-L-lysine17 (P less than 0.01). Prior injection of a small competing polycation (polyethyleneimine 1200) reduced uptake of HSA:poly-L-lysine by 75%, indicating the charge-based nature of the interaction. HSA:poly-L-lysine20 alone was effectively eliminated from the glomeruli within 72 h. Administration of HSA:poly-L-lysine followed by anti-HSA antibody induced immune complex formation in the capillary wall, giving rise to a granular immunofluorescence pattern and discrete subendothelial and subepithelial deposits. Molecules with polar structure do occur naturally and may contribute to immune complex formation in glomerulonephritis.