A case of glomerulopathy showing podocytic infolding in association with Sjögren's syndrome and primary biliary cirrhosis

Clin Exp Nephrol. 2008 Dec;12(6):489-93. doi: 10.1007/s10157-008-0093-y. Epub 2008 Oct 7.

Abstract

A 49-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with mild proteinuria. Prior to admission, he had been diagnosed as having Sjögren's syndrome in association with primary biliary cirrhosis. Examination of a renal biopsy under light microscopy revealed diffuse and global mesangial cell proliferation and a spike and/or bubbling formation of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), resembling membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. In contrast, immunofluorescent studies showed marked immunoglobulin and complement depositions in the mesangial areas; however, only faint granular IgG and IgA deposition was observed along the GBM. Interestingly, electron microscopy revealed that a microtubular structure, derived from podocytes, was present in the GBM. We present a case of glomerulopathy showing podocytic infolding in association with Sjögren's syndrome and primary biliary cirrhosis.

MeSH terms

  • Glomerular Basement Membrane / pathology*
  • Glomerular Basement Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / pathology*
  • Male
  • Microspheres
  • Middle Aged
  • Podocytes / pathology*
  • Podocytes / ultrastructure
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / complications
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / pathology*