Transmission

electron microscopy
of the filtration apparatus of patients with Alports
Histology DiseasesRenal
and Respiratory
syndrome
Structure Affected

Disease/Dysfunction

Cause/Description

Image

Filtration Apparatus

Alport Syndrome

Glomerular Basement Membrane is thickened,

with a basketweave appearance.

Goodpasture Syndrome
Filtration Apparatus

Good pasture
Syndrome

antigens form antibodies that attack the GBM,

results is basement membrane leakage and
ultimately leading to renal failure (this also
affects the respiratory system)

The filtration slit diaphragm is a modified adherens junction.

Nephrin is a transmembrane protein that is an important contributor to
structure and function of the diaphragm. Mutations in the nephrin gene
Wilson Jassociated
C et al. Nephrol.
Dial.congenital
Transplant. 2007;22:1338with
nephrotic syndrome.

1346
Nephrin is a transmembrane
protein that is
important contributor to the structure and
function of the diaphragm of the filtration
apparatus. (The diaphragm is the interdigitation
of the pedicles of the processes of the
podocytes). Mutations in the nephrin gene are
associated with this disorder.

Filtration Apparatus

Congenital Nephrotic
Syndrome

Respiratory
Epithelium

Cystic Fibrosis

defect in Cl channel protein results in viscous

mucus. The Mucociliary Escalatory
malfunctions, causing obstruction of airways.

Turbinates

Allergic Rhinitis

Swell Bodies (blood vessels in lamina propria of

respiratory epithelium) are created by histamine
allergic response, blocking airways.

Structure Affected

Disease/Dysfunction

Cause/Description

Image

Bronchioles

Allergic Asthma

chronic inflammation at the level of the

bronchiole lead to airway remodeling
hyperplasia of the epithelium and increase in the
number of goblet cells, and the basement
membrane thickens. This all leads to
constriction, making it hard to breathe. Note that
an asthma inhaler actually relaxes the smooth
muscle on the bronchioles.

Alveolar
Macrophages Dust
Cells

Heart Failure

Macrophages can act as heart failure cells

during heart failure. They break down blood in
the lung if the heart is failing.

Respiratory
Epithelium

Smoking

basement membrane becomes thicker, number

of goblet cells increases, cilia lose synchronous
beating pattern, and cilia are lost altogether, loss
of olfactory neurons, ciliated cells are replaced
with stratified squamous cells (metaplasia
reversible change replacement by differentiation
of basal cells), increased incidence of lung
cancer. Also leads to increased numbers of
macrophages and neutrophils in the lung
intersititum.

Elastic Tissue of
Lung

Emphysema/COPD

destruction of the inter alveolar septa resulting in

lose of elasticity. The alveoli are enlarged into
cystic sacs and pt. presents with barrel chest
because of overinflation of the sacs.