Ultrastructural study of the ciliated cells from renal tubular epithelium in acute progressive glomerulonephritis

Light microscopic examination of the renal tubular epithelium of a female with a rapid progressive glomerulonephritis revealed in several areas the presence of cells bearing ciliumlike structures. At transmission electron microscopy, normal tubular cells appeared to be partially replaced by epithelial cells showing numerous 9 X 2 cilia and a normally developed basal apparatus. The cilia showed several ultrastructural details (i.e., outer dynein arms, spokes) such as observed in kinocilia of the respiratory epithelium. In addition, a number of poorly differentiated cells showing cilia with a 9 + 0 pattern and at the same time cilia with a 9 + 2 pattern of microtubular arrangement were also seen. The possible biologic significance of these cilia is discussed.