Collapsing Glomerulopathy

Agnes B. Fogo, MD, Mark A. Lusco, MD, Behzad Najafian, MD, and Charles E. Alpers, MD

AJKD Atlas of Renal Pathology

Microscopy Images

Collapsing glomerulopathy is characterized by collapse of the glomerular tuft with marked proliferation of overlying glomerular visceral epithelial cells, often with prominent protein droplets, as shown here (Jones silver stain). Reproduced with permission from AJKD 38(5):e24.
Figure 1. Collapsing glomerulopathy is characterized by collapse of the glomerular tuft with marked proliferation of overlying glomerular visceral epithelial cells, often with prominent protein droplets, as shown here (Jones silver stain). Reproduced with permission from AJKD 38(5):e24.
The collapsing pattern in collapsing glomerulopathy is evident here, with accentuation of each lobule due to the collapse of the tuft. There is also overlying glomerular visceral epithelial cell hyperplasia with protein droplets. Occasional intracapillary foam cells are also evident (Jones silver stain).
Figure 2. The collapsing pattern in collapsing glomerulopathy is evident here, with accentuation of each lobule due to the collapse of the tuft. There is also overlying glomerular visceral epithelial cell hyperplasia with protein droplets. Occasional intracapillary foam cells are also evident (Jones silver stain).
In idiopathic collapsing glomerulopathy, the collapse of the tuft is evident by electron microscopy. There is extensive foot process effacement with microvillous change. This is associated with loss of podocyte differentiation markers of the glomerular visceral epithelial cells. Reproduced with permission from AJKD 38(5):e24.
Figure 3. In idiopathic collapsing glomerulopathy, the collapse of the tuft is evident by electron microscopy. There is extensive foot process effacement with microvillous change. This is associated with loss of podocyte differentiation markers of the glomerular visceral epithelial cells. Reproduced with permission from AJKD 38(5):e24.

Source & Use Note

Source: AJKD Atlas of Renal Pathology II (atlas series 2015–2025); original article published 2015. original article record.

This page preserves the historical source-atlas wording. It is an educational reference, not a diagnostic or treatment recommendation, and has not been independently medically reviewed. Interpret morphology together with clinical, laboratory, serologic, genetic, and other relevant data.

Clinical & Pathologic Features

Collapsing glomerulopathy is associated with marked proteinuria, rapid decrease in kidney function, and a poor prognosis. This lesion is unresponsive to corticosteroid therapy alone. There is a strong preponderance in African Americans versus whites with collapsing glomerulopathy.

Light microscopy: Segmental or global glomerular tuft collapse with overlying visceral epithelial hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Hypertrophied visceral epithelial cells have frequent protein droplets.

Immunofluorescence microscopy: No or limited deposits (nonspecific immunoglobulin M and C3 staining in collapsed segments).

Electron microscopy: Glomerular basement membranes are wrinkled and collapsed. Overlying visceral epithelial cells show hypertrophy and hyperplasia, with frequent vacuoles and protein droplets. There is extensive foot process effacement and no or limited mesangial deposits. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)–associated nephropathy or lupus nephritis–associated collapsing lesions show reticular aggregates, in contrast to idiopathic collapsing glomerulopathy, no reticular aggregates are present.

Etiology / Pathogenesis

The etiology of collapsing glomerulopathy has not yet been discovered. There is proliferation and dedifferentiation of mature podocytes with loss of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (p27Kip1) expression in areas of collapse. Viral agents (HIV and parvovirus) have been proposed as a possible etiology. Treatment with pamidronate or calcineurin inhibitors has been linked to collapsing glomerulopathy. Patients with a risk allele variant of the apolipoprotein APOL1, common in African Americans, have an increased incidence of collapsing glomerulopathy.

Differential Diagnosis

Crescentic glomerulonephritis has parietal epithelial proliferation, but generally does not have reabsorption droplets. Crescents also often show fibrinoid necrosis and glomerular basement membrane breaks, features that distinguish them from collapsing lesions.

Secondary collapsing glomerulopathy can be related to infection (eg, HIV and parvovirus), drugs (eg, bisphosphonate and calcineurin inhibitors), severe vascular disease (eg, thrombotic microangiopathy and cocaine use), and autoimmune disease (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus).

Key Diagnostic Features

Related Current References

These links are current-reference entry points; the atlas text above preserves the source article wording. External links checked 2026-09-24.

Recent Developments (Editorial Note)

Added context checked 2026-09-24; not part of the original atlas article and not a substitute for clinical judgment.