Glomerulonephritis, MembranoproliferativeChronic glomerulonephritis characterized histologically by proliferation of mesangial cells, increase in the mesangial matrix, and a thickening of the glomerular capillary walls. The wall thickening is sometimes said to be a result of the interposition of mesangial cytoplasm or matrix between the basement membrane and the endothelium of the capillary wall. It is often divided into types I and II, and sometimes III. Pathogenesis is not well understood, but some types are thought to involve the immune system, with the complement system, in particular, being implicated.
GlomerulonephritisGlomerular disease characterized by an inflammatory reaction, with leukocyte infiltration and cellular proliferation of the glomeruli, or that appears to be the result of immune glomerular injury.
CytoplasmThe part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990)
EndotheliumA layer of epithelium that lines the heart, blood vessels (ENDOTHELIUM, VASCULAR), lymph vessels (ENDOTHELIUM, LYMPHATIC), and the serous cavities of the body.
ComplementA heat-sensitive complex system in fresh human and other sera which, in combination with antibodies, is important in the host defense mechanism against invading organisms. At least 20 distinct serum proteins operate within the complement system. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific Terms, 4th ed)
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