Histologically, the glomeruli in patients with Alport Syndrome show characteristic changes. Early in the disease, light microscopy may reveal normal or only mildly abnormal findings. However, electron microscopy is more revealing, showing a distinctive "basket-weave" appearance of the GBM due to irregular thickening and lamellation. Immunofluorescence studies often show absence or diminished presence of the α3, α4, and α5 chains of type IV collagen.
