In vivo imaging of disease-modified glomerular extracellular matrix in renal disease.

Abstract

Chaudhary and colleagues describe an in vivo imaging technique for detecting altered glomerular extracellular matrix after development of glomerulonephritis. Using fluorochrome-labeled Fab fragments of the human monoclonal antibody F1.1 against the NC1 domain of the α3 chain of collagen type IV, in vivo binding is shown in glomeruli from mice with nephritis, while the activation of complement and Fc receptors is prevented. This novel method might allow rapid in vivo detection of renal disease.