Significance of cytoplasmic inclusions in lupus nephritis.

The report describes 22 cases of lupus nephritis (20 diffuse and 2 mesangial) showing frequent tubuloreticular inclusions (TRI) in the glomerular and peritubular capillary endothelial cells as well as cylindric confronting cisternae (CCC) mainly in interstitial infiltrating cells. Ten other cases of lupus nephritis that were actively treated or were in the sclerosing stage and did not show CCC were also studied. The presence of cytoplasmic inclusions correlated with various clinical and histologic parameters. Cytoplasmic inclusions, especially CCC, are associated with clinically active, minimally treated renal disease of recent onset and histologically with active diffuse glomerular and acute interstitial lupus nephritis with many immune deposits.