Detection of Fc-receptor on human renal glomerulus.

Six surgically removed normal human kidney specimens were examined by rosette formation techniques on tissue sections. Sheep red cells (SRC) sensitized with IgG hemolysin (IgG-EA) and those with IgM hemolysin and complement (IgM-EAC) exclusively stuck to renal glomeruli, while SRC sensitized with reduced and alkylated IgG hemolysin (RA IgG-EA) and those with IgM hemolysin only (IgM-EA) or nonsensitized SRC (E) did not stick to renal specimens. The sticking of IgG-EA was significantly inhibited by aggregated human IgG, as well as by the sera from patients with active SLE. In the present study, the evidence that human renal glomeruli bear not only complement receptors but also Fc-receptors was presented. The possibility was discussed that circulating immune complexes may be trapped into renal glomeruli by these receptors and will result in the depositions as observed in immune complex nephritis such as lupus nephritis.