Glomerular capillary regeneration and endothelial cell apoptosis in both reversible and progressive models of glomerulonephritis.

In summary, angiogenetic capillary regeneration with endothelial proliferation occurred among mesangiolytic lesions in Thy-1 GN, and the damaged glomerulus recovered its normal structure with the reconstruction of the capillary network. In anti-GBM GN on WKY rats, the damaged glomerulus showed rare capillary regeneration and progressed to global sclerosis. In Thy-1 GN, endothelial cell apoptosis was found in the regenerated capillaries with endothelial cell hypercellularity. On the other hand, in anti-GBM GN on WKY rats, the number of endothelial cell apoptosis increased during the evolution of glomerular sclerosis. We have concluded that glomerular capillary regeneration plays an essential role in the recovery of damaged glomeruli. Moreover, apoptosis is indispensable in regulating the number of intrinsic endothelial cells. We also found that endothelial apoptosis is important in progression of glomerular sclerosis.