Light micrograph showing lupus membranous nephropathy

Light micrograph of lupus membranous nephropathy. The changes are similar to those in any form of membranous nephropathy with diffuse thickening of the glomerular capillary wall being the major abnormality (short arrows). Focal areas of mesangial expansion and hypercellularity (long arrows) are the only findings suggestive of an underlying disease such as lupus, although they can also be seen in idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

Light micrograph of a normal glomerulus. There are only one or two cells per capillary tuft, the capillary lumens are open, the thickness of the glomerular capillary wall (long arrow) is similar to that of the tubular basement membranes (short arrow), and the mesangial cells and mesangial matrix are located in the central or stalk regions of the tuft (arrows).