7. SLE; glomerulus with immune complexes shown by immunofluorescence ("lumpy-bumpy" fluorescence in glomerular basement membranes)
Recall how these tests are performed. Frozen tissue sections of kidney are overlaid with an antibody against IgG, for example, which has been labeled with a fluorescent tag. Residual antibody is washed away, and the section is viewed under a fluorescence microscope. The fluorescence (green) demonstrates the presence and pattern of localization of the molecule being detected. What might be responsible for the irregular "lumpy" distribution of IgG in SLE, compared to that illustrated in the next image (Goodpasture's disease)? Answer
Can you relate the low complement levels seen in this patient to the pathogenesis of SLE? Answer

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