Figure 4.

Mesangiolysis, glomerular microaneurysms, and proteinuria on days 2 and 6 after induction of anti–Thy 1.1 nephritis in rats receiving the VEGF₁₆₅ aptamer (n = 6), PEG alone (n = 6), scrambled VEGF₁₆₅ aptamer (n = 5), or PBS alone (n = 5). (a) Overview of histological changes in a rat receiving the VEGF₁₆₅ aptamer on day 6 after disease induction. Four of 6 glomeruli show marked mesangiolysis, capillary dilation, and microaneurysm formation (arrowheads). A protein cast is present in 1 tubule (arrow). ×200. (b) Overview of histological changes in a rat receiving PEG alone on day 6 after disease induction. Marked mesangioproliferative changes are present in 2 glomeruli; the other 2 glomeruli exhibit milder degrees of mesangial expansion. No evidence of persistent mesangiolysis is present. ×200. (c) Semiquantitative evaluation of mesangiolysis, frequency of microaneurysms, and proteinuria.