Fig. 3

Renal histopathology in LN mice, Histopathological features of the mouse renal tissues were determined by PASM (original magnification, × 400). Histological findings for renal tissues from the four experimental mouse groups: an intact glomerular basement membrane, no hyperaemia, and no necrotic cells were found in the renal tubules of control and VIP mice; LN mice showed significant glomerular atrophy, basement membrane thickening and rupture, mesangial area widening, mesangial matrix increases, mesangial cell proliferation and renal tubule necrosis, suggesting damage to the renal structure; renal cortical pathology in LN + VIP mice revealed less mesangial matrix, decreased mesangial cell proliferation, and decreased basement membrane hyperplasia