Glomerular C3b receptor loss in renal allografts.

There is almost no data from the glomeruli of allografted kidneys with respect to changes in the CR-1 (C3b) receptor expressed on glomerular podocytes. We studied 22 renal graft biopsies from rejecting and stable allografts, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies. We found that the CR-1 expression was decreased in a focal and segmental fashion in some biopsies, particularly in rejecting kidneys. These changes correlated with the intensity of glomerular mononuclear cell infiltration, but in contrast no correlation was seen with peripheral capillary wall deposition of complement (C3). Thus, some active process is occurring in the glomeruli of rejecting grafts which affects the expression of the CR-1 receptor.