Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 1977, 36, 549-556
Gold-induced immune complex nephritis in seronegative rheumatoid arthritis B. V. SKRIFVARS, T. S. TORNROTH, AND G. N. TALLQVIST From the Fourth Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital; Departments of Pathology, Maria and Aurora Hospitals; and Municipal Bacteriological Laboratory, Aurora Hospital, Helsinki
Proteinuria, with or without the nephrotic syndrome, developed in 8 patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis after the institution of gold therapy. Light microscope examination of renal biopsies showed normal findings in 7, and a focal increase in the mesangial matrix of one glomerulus in the eighth. In all patients immunofluorescence showed deposits of IgG and C3 along the glomerular basement membrane, indicative of immune complex nephritis. The renal biopsies of 5 patients were studied with the electron microscope and subepithelial deposits were detected in all. The Rose-Waaler test for the detection of IgM-rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF) was repeatedly negative in all patients. These results suggest that the development of gold nephropathy may be related to an absence of IgM-RF in serum.
SUMMARY
The paucity of reports on renal complications caused by gold salts in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reflects the rarity of these complications. Among rheumatoid patients receiving gold therapy the nephrotic syndrome and massive proteinuria have been reported in less than 1 % (Hartfall et al., 1937), and mild transient proteinuria in 1 to 3 % (Empire Rheumatism Council, 1961). A review of the literature showed only one case of acute tubular necrosis (Derot et al., 1954). Gold salts are rapidly resorbed (Krusius et al., 1970), bound to plasma proteins, and deposited in lymphatic tissues, liver, and spleen (Gottlieb et al., 1972). In the kidneys gold salts accumulate in the proximal tubules where gold inclusions can be shown within a few hours of administration (Brun et al., 1964). Although they are thought to be excreted mainly via the tubules (Brun et al., 1964), gold salts have also been shown to pass through the glomerular basement membrane (Strunk and Ziff, 1970). We describe the clinical and renal biopsy findings, emphasizing the results of serological and immunofluorescence studies, in 8 patients with RA in whom proteinuria with or without the nephrotic syndrome developed after gold salt treatment was started. Accepted for publication March 3, 1977 Correspondence to Dr. B. Skrifvars, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Fourth Department of Medicine, Unioninkatu 38, 00170 Helsinki 17, Finland
Materials and methods In 8 patients (7 females, 1 male) the nephrotic syndrome or proteinuria (>02 g/l) developed during treatment with sodium aurothiomalate (Myocrisin). All 8 patients had chronic, erosive polyarthritis; none had shown signs of renal disease before starting gold therapy. Table 1 and Fig. 1 give the clinical details. In none of the patients was amyloid detected. Renal biopsy specimens, obtained by a Menghini needle, were divided into two pieces, one for immunohistochemical study, the other for
examination by light and electron microscopy. For immunofluorescence study the tissue was quenched in Freon 22, chilled in liquid nitrogen, and sectioned at 4 to 6 ,tm in a cryostat at -24°C. The sections were washed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 10 minutes, incubated for 45 minutes with fluorescein-conjugated antisera against human IgG, IgM, IgA, complement component C3, and fibrinogen, then washed in two changes of PBS for 20 minutes each time, and mounted in glycerinebuffered glycerol. Antisera were prepared as described elsewhere (Wager et al., 1971). The intensity of the fluorescence was graded from +1 to +4. Similarly treated sections of normal human renal tissue served as control material. For examination by light and electron microscope, tissue specimens were fixed in 1 * 5 % glutaraldehyde. Sections for light microscopy were stained with 549
550 Skrifvars, T6rnroth, Tallqvist r0 3*
00
1.^
0
0
-
0 to la > o4
0W
_
00
O2
4)
.0
.4
o
o
0
-~
0U.
O O OZ
.3 *0
A~0
A
0
-.,
.X 0
0
0-.E..
t-
0%0
O%
z
-
+
+
+
in
oo
0~~~~~~~O
2 2
tN
0 z
+ 0
}f
0
A
8
ot
en
8 n
N
a,
en
N 06 t
0RW
o
_
o
all _
N
es N
00
V%
Q
z
z
00 ON
_
E a %0
b
0%
%0
O0 .
%
6
t 6
0-
oo
E Ca
0.
.a
0E
U
,0; k-I
to
\0
-
r-
n
It
O en
00
X0 0
0 0
0
Hw
00
00
0*.
tk _u0
0
In In
C.
IW1
N
-ON
.40
-
:5
44L.
>%0
0
-
N
"n '
t
^
en
*
LL
v
cr
0
W)
'IO
e
4
A
r-
e
0o
Gold-induced immune complex nehpritis in seronegative rheunatoid arthritis 551 Serum proteins Total (g/l) Albumin (%) Globulin (%) al
63.0 66.9
36.0 40-0 32.0 33.0 42.0 53.0 55.0 48.2 41.2 31-9 30.3 45.1 60.0 62.1
a2
3-2 8.9
r3 ly
12-9
6.0 3.5 7.0 5-4 6.1 5.9 6.9 16-9 24-7 26.4 30-3 21.9 12.9 11.5 18.1 22.4 22.2 26.8 22.0 16.5 13.8
8-.1
Sodium aurothiomalate
2018 18
20 E2Oc.
E 2 0 1-30Xmq
15 E 1500I
8.2 12.5 7.2 __teroids__ 10-8
Therapy
4-9
4.7
5.7
ic
30mg W
IRB IRB iRB= Renal biopsy
--* Serum creatinine --o Serum cholesterol 10ooa i1000 ' 10 Urinary protein
.' _
5
E500
I S
U
EE 050)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1
0L0J
0
C ~15 September
5
October
'I
I15
November
15
December 1970
Fig. 1 A 26-year-old lorry} driver who had had erosive polyarthritis since 1964 was seen in spring 1970 suffering from an acute deterioration of this condition with weight loss, morning stiffness, and involvement offinger joints, knees, and ankles. In April 1970 simultaneous treatment with sodium aurothiomalate (Myocrisin) and prednisone was started; in September a synovectomy of the proximal interphalangeal joints was performed. Primary urine analysis normal; no proteinuria. Serum creatinine 0 6 mg/jO0 ml (53 ILmolll); Rose- Waaler titre Ss ;Xfl\:P^r~finely
552 Skrifvars, Tdrnroth, Tallqvist
Table 2 Light microscope and immunofluorescence findings in renal biopsy specimens in gold-induced immune complex nephritis Case no.
Age Light (yrs) microscopy
No. of Immunofluorescence glomeruli Glomeruli* IgG
IgM IgA
C3
Fibrin-
Diagnosis
Tubules IgG
Vessels
IgM IgA
C3
ogen
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
26 50 45 43 39 40 24 35
Normal Normal Normal Normal Questionable membranous changes Normal Normal Normal
6-7 10-15 10-12 10
+3 +4 +3 +2
NS +2
10 5 5-6 5
+2 +3 +2 +2
NS +2
+1
-
-
-
NS
NS -
+2 +4 +4 +4
NS
+2 +3 +2 +2
+2
-
+2 -
-
+2
-
Fibrinogen
NT +2 +3 +3
NT
NT
-
-
+3 +3
-
NT -
NT -
NT -
NT +2 +2 +3
NT +2 +2
NT C3 -
NT -
NT +2 NS +2
NT
-
* Intensity of staining graded + I to +4. NS not significant; NT = not tested. Specimen examined before tubular immunofluorescence was noted;
-
Nephrosis ,,
Proteinuria
-
C3 negative finding.
appeared normal. In one region of the tenth glomerulus proliferating mesangial cells and a thickened mesangial matrix had encroached upon capillary -X ~ , ; y > A e Q v{ lumina and double-contoured capillary walls (Fig. 3). With immunofluorescence all glomeruli of all 8 ," r s.-^^* x,| v fS, stained positively for IgG and C3. This patients staining localized to capillary walls, and was always granular. In 6 patients, the distribution of IgG -ti.: 81 5 2 tL and C3 was diffuse throughout the whole glomerulus; in 2 the distribution was both focal and diffuse (Figs. *,1i l 47). In only 2 patients (Cases 2 and 6) did glomeruli stain positively for IgM, with the staining localized to the mesangial region (Fig. 8). In Case 6 IgA was F ig. 3 Case 5. Section of right half of glomerular detected in the glomeruli, and in Cases 2 and 8 C3 capillary tuft is moderately condensed with proliferated mesangial-endothelial cells and increased mesangial matrix. In some places the capillary wall appears double-contoured (arrow). PASM. x 140.
J
.
-
Fig. 4 Case 2. Cryostat section stained with anti-IgG showing 4 glomeruli with finely granular deposits of lgG along the capillary walls. The glomerulus in the lower left corner is most weakly stained. x 140.
Fig. 5 Case 2. Part of a glomerulus stained with anti-C3. The staining pattern is similar to that in Fig. 4 x 450.
Gold-induced immune complex nephritis in seronegative rheumatoid arthritis 553 factor (IgM-RF). In 2 patients (Cases 3 & 8) the Rose-Waaler test was slightly positive during the acute phase of the illness. However, in all patients, once proteinuria had developed the Rose-Waaler tests were negative.
Fig. 6 Case 4. Cryostat section of a part of a glomerulus stained with anti-IgG. Notice the segmental (focal) distribution of IgG within the capillary tuft. x 320.
Fig. 7 Case 4. Cryostat section stained with anti-C3 showing a similarly segmental distribution of the capillary deposits. x 320.
shown in the walls of arterioles. In 3 patients who had the nephrotic syndrome or heavy proteinuria, IgG, IgM, and C3 were present in tubules, IgG and IgM being detected in the tubular epithelial cells, and C3 along the tubular basem-nt membrane (Fig. 9). Tissue from 5 patients was available for electron Fig. 8 Case 2. Cryostat section of a glomerulus stained with anti-IgM. Coarse granular deposits of IgM are microscope study. In all 5 specimens electron-dense localized predominantly in the mesangial areas. x 650. deposits or electron-lucent areas were seen on the external surface (i.e. subepithelially) or within the basement membrane of the glomerular capillaries Table 3 Serological tests for rheumatoid factor in (Figs. 10, 11). The deposits were usually associated patients with immune complex nephritis attributable to with projections and slight irregular thickenings of gold salt treatment Rose-Waaler No. of No. of Latex the basement membrane. As a rule, such basement Case test tests test tests membrane changes (deposits and projections) no. occurred in clusters and affected only parts of the 1 64* 1 +2 1 4
Gold-induced immune complex nephritis in seronegative rheumatoid arthritis B. V. SKRIFVARS, T. S. TORNROTH, AND G. N. TALLQVIST From the Fourth Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital; Departments of Pathology, Maria and Aurora Hospitals; and Municipal Bacteriological Laboratory, Aurora Hospital, Helsinki
Proteinuria, with or without the nephrotic syndrome, developed in 8 patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis after the institution of gold therapy. Light microscope examination of renal biopsies showed normal findings in 7, and a focal increase in the mesangial matrix of one glomerulus in the eighth. In all patients immunofluorescence showed deposits of IgG and C3 along the glomerular basement membrane, indicative of immune complex nephritis. The renal biopsies of 5 patients were studied with the electron microscope and subepithelial deposits were detected in all. The Rose-Waaler test for the detection of IgM-rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF) was repeatedly negative in all patients. These results suggest that the development of gold nephropathy may be related to an absence of IgM-RF in serum.
SUMMARY
The paucity of reports on renal complications caused by gold salts in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reflects the rarity of these complications. Among rheumatoid patients receiving gold therapy the nephrotic syndrome and massive proteinuria have been reported in less than 1 % (Hartfall et al., 1937), and mild transient proteinuria in 1 to 3 % (Empire Rheumatism Council, 1961). A review of the literature showed only one case of acute tubular necrosis (Derot et al., 1954). Gold salts are rapidly resorbed (Krusius et al., 1970), bound to plasma proteins, and deposited in lymphatic tissues, liver, and spleen (Gottlieb et al., 1972). In the kidneys gold salts accumulate in the proximal tubules where gold inclusions can be shown within a few hours of administration (Brun et al., 1964). Although they are thought to be excreted mainly via the tubules (Brun et al., 1964), gold salts have also been shown to pass through the glomerular basement membrane (Strunk and Ziff, 1970). We describe the clinical and renal biopsy findings, emphasizing the results of serological and immunofluorescence studies, in 8 patients with RA in whom proteinuria with or without the nephrotic syndrome developed after gold salt treatment was started. Accepted for publication March 3, 1977 Correspondence to Dr. B. Skrifvars, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Fourth Department of Medicine, Unioninkatu 38, 00170 Helsinki 17, Finland
Materials and methods In 8 patients (7 females, 1 male) the nephrotic syndrome or proteinuria (>02 g/l) developed during treatment with sodium aurothiomalate (Myocrisin). All 8 patients had chronic, erosive polyarthritis; none had shown signs of renal disease before starting gold therapy. Table 1 and Fig. 1 give the clinical details. In none of the patients was amyloid detected. Renal biopsy specimens, obtained by a Menghini needle, were divided into two pieces, one for immunohistochemical study, the other for
examination by light and electron microscopy. For immunofluorescence study the tissue was quenched in Freon 22, chilled in liquid nitrogen, and sectioned at 4 to 6 ,tm in a cryostat at -24°C. The sections were washed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 10 minutes, incubated for 45 minutes with fluorescein-conjugated antisera against human IgG, IgM, IgA, complement component C3, and fibrinogen, then washed in two changes of PBS for 20 minutes each time, and mounted in glycerinebuffered glycerol. Antisera were prepared as described elsewhere (Wager et al., 1971). The intensity of the fluorescence was graded from +1 to +4. Similarly treated sections of normal human renal tissue served as control material. For examination by light and electron microscope, tissue specimens were fixed in 1 * 5 % glutaraldehyde. Sections for light microscopy were stained with 549
550 Skrifvars, T6rnroth, Tallqvist r0 3*
00
1.^
0
0
-
0 to la > o4
0W
_
00
O2
4)
.0
.4
o
o
0
-~
0U.
O O OZ
.3 *0
A~0
A
0
-.,
.X 0
0
0-.E..
t-
0%0
O%
z
-
+
+
+
in
oo
0~~~~~~~O
2 2
tN
0 z
+ 0
}f
0
A
8
ot
en
8 n
N
a,
en
N 06 t
0RW
o
_
o
all _
N
es N
00
V%
Q
z
z
00 ON
_
E a %0
b
0%
%0
O0 .
%
6
t 6
0-
oo
E Ca
0.
.a
0E
U
,0; k-I
to
\0
-
r-
n
It
O en
00
X0 0
0 0
0
Hw
00
00
0*.
tk _u0
0
In In
C.
IW1
N
-ON
.40
-
:5
44L.
>%0
0
-
N
"n '
t
^
en
*
LL
v
cr
0
W)
'IO
e
4
A
r-
e
0o
Gold-induced immune complex nehpritis in seronegative rheunatoid arthritis 551 Serum proteins Total (g/l) Albumin (%) Globulin (%) al
63.0 66.9
36.0 40-0 32.0 33.0 42.0 53.0 55.0 48.2 41.2 31-9 30.3 45.1 60.0 62.1
a2
3-2 8.9
r3 ly
12-9
6.0 3.5 7.0 5-4 6.1 5.9 6.9 16-9 24-7 26.4 30-3 21.9 12.9 11.5 18.1 22.4 22.2 26.8 22.0 16.5 13.8
8-.1
Sodium aurothiomalate
2018 18
20 E2Oc.
E 2 0 1-30Xmq
15 E 1500I
8.2 12.5 7.2 __teroids__ 10-8
Therapy
4-9
4.7
5.7
ic
30mg W
IRB IRB iRB= Renal biopsy
--* Serum creatinine --o Serum cholesterol 10ooa i1000 ' 10 Urinary protein
.' _
5
E500
I S
U
EE 050)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1
0L0J
0
C ~15 September
5
October
'I
I15
November
15
December 1970
Fig. 1 A 26-year-old lorry} driver who had had erosive polyarthritis since 1964 was seen in spring 1970 suffering from an acute deterioration of this condition with weight loss, morning stiffness, and involvement offinger joints, knees, and ankles. In April 1970 simultaneous treatment with sodium aurothiomalate (Myocrisin) and prednisone was started; in September a synovectomy of the proximal interphalangeal joints was performed. Primary urine analysis normal; no proteinuria. Serum creatinine 0 6 mg/jO0 ml (53 ILmolll); Rose- Waaler titre Ss ;Xfl\:P^r~finely
552 Skrifvars, Tdrnroth, Tallqvist
Table 2 Light microscope and immunofluorescence findings in renal biopsy specimens in gold-induced immune complex nephritis Case no.
Age Light (yrs) microscopy
No. of Immunofluorescence glomeruli Glomeruli* IgG
IgM IgA
C3
Fibrin-
Diagnosis
Tubules IgG
Vessels
IgM IgA
C3
ogen
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
26 50 45 43 39 40 24 35
Normal Normal Normal Normal Questionable membranous changes Normal Normal Normal
6-7 10-15 10-12 10
+3 +4 +3 +2
NS +2
10 5 5-6 5
+2 +3 +2 +2
NS +2
+1
-
-
-
NS
NS -
+2 +4 +4 +4
NS
+2 +3 +2 +2
+2
-
+2 -
-
+2
-
Fibrinogen
NT +2 +3 +3
NT
NT
-
-
+3 +3
-
NT -
NT -
NT -
NT +2 +2 +3
NT +2 +2
NT C3 -
NT -
NT +2 NS +2
NT
-
* Intensity of staining graded + I to +4. NS not significant; NT = not tested. Specimen examined before tubular immunofluorescence was noted;
-
Nephrosis ,,
Proteinuria
-
C3 negative finding.
appeared normal. In one region of the tenth glomerulus proliferating mesangial cells and a thickened mesangial matrix had encroached upon capillary -X ~ , ; y > A e Q v{ lumina and double-contoured capillary walls (Fig. 3). With immunofluorescence all glomeruli of all 8 ," r s.-^^* x,| v fS, stained positively for IgG and C3. This patients staining localized to capillary walls, and was always granular. In 6 patients, the distribution of IgG -ti.: 81 5 2 tL and C3 was diffuse throughout the whole glomerulus; in 2 the distribution was both focal and diffuse (Figs. *,1i l 47). In only 2 patients (Cases 2 and 6) did glomeruli stain positively for IgM, with the staining localized to the mesangial region (Fig. 8). In Case 6 IgA was F ig. 3 Case 5. Section of right half of glomerular detected in the glomeruli, and in Cases 2 and 8 C3 capillary tuft is moderately condensed with proliferated mesangial-endothelial cells and increased mesangial matrix. In some places the capillary wall appears double-contoured (arrow). PASM. x 140.
J
.
-
Fig. 4 Case 2. Cryostat section stained with anti-IgG showing 4 glomeruli with finely granular deposits of lgG along the capillary walls. The glomerulus in the lower left corner is most weakly stained. x 140.
Fig. 5 Case 2. Part of a glomerulus stained with anti-C3. The staining pattern is similar to that in Fig. 4 x 450.
Gold-induced immune complex nephritis in seronegative rheumatoid arthritis 553 factor (IgM-RF). In 2 patients (Cases 3 & 8) the Rose-Waaler test was slightly positive during the acute phase of the illness. However, in all patients, once proteinuria had developed the Rose-Waaler tests were negative.
Fig. 6 Case 4. Cryostat section of a part of a glomerulus stained with anti-IgG. Notice the segmental (focal) distribution of IgG within the capillary tuft. x 320.
Fig. 7 Case 4. Cryostat section stained with anti-C3 showing a similarly segmental distribution of the capillary deposits. x 320.
shown in the walls of arterioles. In 3 patients who had the nephrotic syndrome or heavy proteinuria, IgG, IgM, and C3 were present in tubules, IgG and IgM being detected in the tubular epithelial cells, and C3 along the tubular basem-nt membrane (Fig. 9). Tissue from 5 patients was available for electron Fig. 8 Case 2. Cryostat section of a glomerulus stained with anti-IgM. Coarse granular deposits of IgM are microscope study. In all 5 specimens electron-dense localized predominantly in the mesangial areas. x 650. deposits or electron-lucent areas were seen on the external surface (i.e. subepithelially) or within the basement membrane of the glomerular capillaries Table 3 Serological tests for rheumatoid factor in (Figs. 10, 11). The deposits were usually associated patients with immune complex nephritis attributable to with projections and slight irregular thickenings of gold salt treatment Rose-Waaler No. of No. of Latex the basement membrane. As a rule, such basement Case test tests test tests membrane changes (deposits and projections) no. occurred in clusters and affected only parts of the 1 64* 1 +2 1 4
