Murine lupus nephritis: effect of azathioprine on glomerular permeability and localization of immunoreactants
Cavallo, T.; Graves, K.; Granholm, N.A.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 53(3): 547-554
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 6616955 Document Number: 204988
We investigated the effect of azathioprine on glomerular permeability and deposition of immunoreactants in NZB/W mice. Glomerular permeability, assessed by proteins excreted in the urine and by a molecular probe of anionic sites of the basement membrane, underwent negligible changes, in comparison to pre-treatment findings, and deposits of immunoreactants were largely mesangial and were decreased overall. Therapy with azathioprine preserved glomerular structure and function by decreasing the amount of immunoreactants, by inducing a preferential mesangial localization of immunoreactants, and, possibly, by interfering with factors that favor the deposition of immunoreactants in the glomerular capillary wall.