Veterinary Pathology - Cell Degeneration

Introduction

Extracellular Accumulations:

Sometimes cellular products may accumulate within the extracellular space either close to or remote from the cells producing the substances. Generally, these substances are proteins. Two important extracellular proteinaceous accumulations are antigen-antibody (Ag-Ab) complexes and amyloid.

Ag-Ab complexes often form in the blood and may be transported to and deposited in the renal glomeruli. Damage to the glomerular basement membrane results from complement fixation by the complexes and chemotaxis of leukocytes to the sites of deposition. The function of the glomerular filter may be impaired, leading to proteinuria.

Amyloid will be discussed more fully in a separate section but it should be noted that glomerular amyloidosis also results in proteinuria by damaging the glomerular filter. Accumulation of amyloid between glomerular cells causes atrophy and/or death of the cells of the glomerular tuft.

Cases

Carbontetrachloride

Review Questions