Alteration of collagen IV in acutely deteriorated renal allografts

Backgrounds. The changes in the basement membrane occurring in acutely dete riorated renal allografts (ADR) have not been extensively investigated. Our purpose is to elucidate the alteration of collagen IV, a main constituent of the basement membrane in ADR, Methods. Fifty biopsy specimens of ADR and 10 of chronic transplant nephrop athy (CTN) were examined with two monoclonal antibodies specific for collag en IV, JK199 and JK132 are monoclonal antibodies that recognize triple heli cal collagen TV containing the alpha1 chain. JK199 recognizes all the basem ent membrane containing [alpha1 (IV)]2 alpha2(IV), although JK132 reacts on ly with a limited portion of it. In the normal kidney, JK199 reacts with th e mesangial matrix, the basement membrane of Bowman's capsule (BBM), and th e tubular basement membrane, as well as with the glomelular basement membra ne (GBM). JK132 reacts with the mesangial matrix, BBM, and the tubular base ment membrane. Results, In ADR, increased intensity of JK199 was observed in GEM, the mesa ngial matrix, BBM, the tubular basement membrane, and the interstitium, Inc reased intensity of JK132 was observed in the mesangial matrix, BBM, and th e tubular basement membrane, but was not remarkable in GEM or the interstit ium, In contrast, biopsy specimens of CTN showed increased intensity of JK1 32 in GBM, the mesangial matrix, BBM, the tubular basement membrane and the interstitium. Conclusion. These results suggest that collagen IV is up-regulated in ADR. Differential staining of collagen IV with JK199 and JK132 in GBM and the in terstitium may contribute to diagnose CTN.