Presence of HBe antibody in glomerular deposits in membranous glomerulonephritis is associated with hepatitis B virus infection.

The specificity of IgG on the glomerular capillary wall was investigated in 3 patients with hepatitis B virus associated membranous glomerulonephritis. The immune deposits on the capillary walls were stained by immunofluorescent antibody against HBe antigen and IgG. The eluted fluid (0.02 M citrate buffer, pH 3.2) from renal biopsy slices contained significant activity of HBe antibody, but not of HBs and HBc antibodies. After elution, the disappearance of IgG on the capillary walls was confirmed by immunofluorescence. Heterologous complement activation with fresh guinea pig complement was positive in the glomerular capillary walls from all 3 patients. Our observations support the notion that this disease is caused by HBe antigen-anti-HBe immune complexes.