[HTML][HTML] Red cell traverse through thin glomerular basement membranes

JE Collar, S Ladva, TDH Cairns, V Cattell - Kidney international, 2001 - Elsevier
JE Collar, S Ladva, TDH Cairns, V Cattell
Kidney international, 2001Elsevier
Red cell traverse through thin glomerular basement membranes. Background How red cells
enter the urinary filtrate in most cases of hematuria of glomerular origin has remained a
mystery despite the frequent ultrastructural examination of renal biopsy material. Methods
Serial sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed, resin-embedded material from a case of sporadic
microhematuria were examined by transmission electron microscopy when the site of a red
cell traversing the glomerular capillary wall was fortuitously discovered on routine …
Red cell traverse through thin glomerular basement membranes.
Background
How red cells enter the urinary filtrate in most cases of hematuria of glomerular origin has remained a mystery despite the frequent ultrastructural examination of renal biopsy material.
Methods
Serial sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed, resin-embedded material from a case of sporadic microhematuria were examined by transmission electron microscopy when the site of a red cell traversing the glomerular capillary wall was fortuitously discovered on routine examination.
Results
The red cell assumed a dumbbell shape and traversed a localized gap 2.25 μm in diameter in the glomerular endothelium and basement membrane. Serial sections suggested a transcellular route. Apart from the thinning of the basement membrane (167 nm), there were no other generalized abnormalities.
Conclusion
Red cells can traverse through gaps in the glomerular capillary walls to gain access to Bowman's space. This may be the origin of glomerular hematuria in common noninflammatory forms of glomerular disease, including thin basement membrane nephropathy.
Elsevier