Determination of tissue type plasminogen activator in the glomeruli of patients with IgA nephropathy.

The detection, by immunofluorescence, of tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in the glomeruli of 50 patients with IgA nephropathy was described. Patients with t-PA deposits revealed a higher frequency in the glomerular deposition of fibrin and/or fibrinogen than did patients without t-PA deposits. There also was a distinct relationship between the level of serum t-PA and the degree of renal tissue injury in patients with glomerular t-PA deposits. It was concluded that the deposition of t-PA along with fibrin and/or fibrinogen might reduce the effectiveness of fibrinolysis in the glomeruli of patients with IgA nephropathy.