Fig. 2

Expression of trimethylated histone H3K4 and cathepsin L in a patient with membranous nephropathy. Immunohistochemical staining indicates the overlapping staining for H3K4 me3 (green, left side) and cathepsin L (red, center) resulting in the merged image (yellowish, right side) in the control (a) and MN patient (b). Biopsies showing primary MN were diagnosed by positivity for PLA2R1 staining (c, Case 1 in Table 1) and subepithelial deposits according to electron microscopy findings (d, Case 1 in Table 1). The overlapping expression of H3K4 me3 and cathepsin L in patients with MN (N = 6) was significantly higher than in those of the ConA or ConB (e). ConA, control obtained in a series of consecutive patients (N = 3); ConB, age-matched healthy control, which were not in a series of consecutive patients (N = 3) (e). The overlapping expression of H3K4 me3 and cathepsin L in patients with MN was significantly higher than that of minimal change or FSGS or amyloidosis (f). H3K4 me3, histone H3K4 trimethylation; MN, membranous nephropathy; MC, minimal change; FSGS, focal segmental glomerular sclerosis; Amyl, AL amyloidosis. *P < 0.05 vs. ConA; #P < 0.05 vs. MN. Data are expressed as the mean ± SE