Abstract
Electron microscopic studies of the kidneys of NZB x NZW F1 (B/W) mice show the presence of electron-opaque deposits on the endothelial side of the glomerular basement membrane early in the spontaneous renal disease to which these mice are subject. This change is comparable to that seen in the heterologous phase of murine nephrotoxic nephritis. Widespread formation of subepithelial humps is seen in B/W nephritis in the advanced lesions only.
Ultrastructural studies of kidneys of young ‘normal’ mice reveal isolated humps of similar electron-opaque material on the epithelial side of the glomerular basement membrane. It would appear, then, that the spontaneously occurring kidney disease in B/W mice is of a more complicated nature than is suggested by simple laboratory models.