1
|
Peritore L, Labbozzetta V, Maressa V, Casuscelli C, Conti G, Gembillo G, Santoro D. How to Choose the Right Treatment for Membranous Nephropathy. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1997. [PMID: 38004046 PMCID: PMC10673286 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59111997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Membranous nephropathy is an autoimmune disease affecting the glomeruli and is one of the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome. In the absence of any therapy, 35% of patients develop end-stage renal disease. The discovery of autoantibodies such as phospholipase A2 receptor 1, antithrombospondin and neural epidermal growth factor-like 1 protein has greatly helped us to understand the pathogenesis and enable the diagnosis of this disease and to guide its treatment. Depending on the complications of nephrotic syndrome, patients with this disease receive supportive treatment with diuretics, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers, lipid-lowering agents and anticoagulants. After assessing the risk of progression of end-stage renal disease, patients receive immunosuppressive therapy with various drugs such as cyclophosphamide, steroids, calcineurin inhibitors or rituximab. Since immunosuppressive drugs can cause life-threatening side effects and up to 30% of patients do not respond to therapy, new therapeutic approaches with drugs such as adrenocorticotropic hormone, belimumab, anti-plasma cell antibodies or complement-guided drugs are currently being tested. However, special attention needs to be paid to the choice of therapy in secondary forms or in specific clinical contexts such as membranous disease in children, pregnant women and patients undergoing kidney transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Peritore
- Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (V.L.); (V.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Vincenzo Labbozzetta
- Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (V.L.); (V.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Veronica Maressa
- Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (V.L.); (V.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Chiara Casuscelli
- Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (V.L.); (V.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Giovanni Conti
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, AOU Policlinic “G Martino”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Guido Gembillo
- Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (V.L.); (V.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Domenico Santoro
- Unit of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (V.L.); (V.M.); (C.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shi LQ, Sun J, Yuan L, Wang XW, Li W, Cheng CY, Guo WD, Hong Y. Diagnostic performance of renal cortical elasticity by supersonic shear wave imaging in pediatric glomerular disease. Eur J Radiol 2023; 168:111113. [PMID: 37820521 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.111113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the diagnostic performance of renal cortical elasticity expressed by Young's modulus (YM) using the supersonic shear wave imaging (SSI) technique in pediatric glomerular disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-one children with glomerular disease confirmed by renal biopsy and sixty healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Conventional and SSI ultrasound examinations were performed in all individuals for both kidneys. We measured renal length, renal width, renal thickness, parenchyma thickness, interlobar arterial resistive index (RI) and the YM of the middle and lower pole. RESULTS Regardless of which pole and which side of the kidney, the YM in the disease group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001). The YM of the middle pole in the left kidney demonstrated the largest AUC (0.936, P < 0.001), and the corresponding cut-off value was 15.48 kPa with a sensitivity of 87.3% and a specificity of 86.7%. There was no significant difference in the YM among different pathological types of pediatric glomerular disease in the disease group, and the same in different grades of patients with Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy by Lee classification and the Oxford Classification as well as Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) by International Study of Kidney Disease in Children (ISKDC) classification (P > 0.05). We found positive but weak correlations between the YM and renal length (r = 0.299, P = 0.001), renal width (r = 0.408, P < 0.001), renal thickness (r = 0.299, P = 0.001), and parenchyma thickness (r = 0.212, P = 0.015), whereas the YM had no significant correlations with age, sex, BMI, interlobar arterial RI, and laboratory findings (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS SSI technology is a non-invasive and feasible method for the diagnosis of pediatric glomerular disease. However, SSI did not show good performance in distinguishing different pathological types and disease grades in our study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Qiong Shi
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, No. 100 Xianggang Road, Wuhan City, Hubei 430016, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, No. 100 Xianggang Road, Wuhan City, Hubei 430016, China
| | - Li Yuan
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, No. 100 Xianggang Road, Wuhan City, Hubei 430016, China.
| | - Xiao-Wen Wang
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, No. 100 Xianggang Road, Wuhan City, Hubei 430016, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, No. 100 Xianggang Road, Wuhan City, Hubei 430016, China
| | - Chun-Yue Cheng
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, No. 100 Xianggang Road, Wuhan City, Hubei 430016, China
| | - Wu-Dan Guo
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, No. 100 Xianggang Road, Wuhan City, Hubei 430016, China
| | - Yue Hong
- Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, No. 100 Xianggang Road, Wuhan City, Hubei 430016, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yao S, Cai Y, Hu S, Liu X, Gao X, Li G, Wang H, Yu H. The value of shear wave elasticity and shear wave dispersion imaging to evaluate the viscoelasticity of renal parenchyma in children with glomerular diseases. BMC Nephrol 2023; 24:306. [PMID: 37858094 PMCID: PMC10588180 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-023-03357-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To study the value of shear wave elasticity and shear wave dispersion imaging to evaluate the viscoelasticity of renal parenchyma in children with glomerular diseases. METHODS Forty-three children with glomerular diseases were prospectively evaluated by shear wave elasticity (SWE) and shear wave dispersion imaging (SWD); 43 healthy volunteers served as the control group. The shear wave velocities (SWV) and the dispersion slopes were measured at the upper, middle, and lower poles of both kidneys. The analysis of mean SWV and mean dispersion slope in control and patient groups was used to further evaluate the value of SWE and SWD in the viscoelasticity of renal parenchyma in children with glomerular disease. RESULTS The mean SWV in children with glomerular disease was higher than that in the healthy control group (1.61 ± 0.09 m/s vs. 1.43 ± 0.07 m/s, p < 0.001). Compared with healthy group, the mean dispersion slope in children with glomerular disease was significantly increased (13.5 ± 1.39 (m/s)/kHz vs. 12.4 ± 1.40 (m/s)/kHz, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed absence of correlation between the SWV and dispersion slope of occult blood, serum creatinine, 24-h urine protein, blood albumin, BMI and ROI box depth of children with glomerular disease. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows that it is feasible to use SWE and SWD to evaluate the difference of viscoelasticity of the renal parenchyma between healthy children and those with glomerular disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shixiang Yao
- Department of Ultrasonography, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No.9, Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingying Cai
- Department of Ultrasonography, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No.9, Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shanshan Hu
- The Sixth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Ultrasonography, Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xia Gao
- Nephrology department, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's medical center, Guangzhou city, China
| | - Guanyu Li
- Nephrology department, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's medical center, Guangzhou city, China
| | - Hongying Wang
- Department of Ultrasonography, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No.9, Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongkui Yu
- Department of Ultrasonography, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, No.9, Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
He G, Tao L, Li C, Zhong X, Wang H, Ding J. The spectrum and changes of biopsy-proven kidney diseases in Chinese children. J Nephrol 2023; 36:417-427. [PMID: 36472788 DOI: 10.1007/s40620-022-01527-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIM The study aimed to investigate the spectrum of biopsy-proven kidney disease in Chinese children. METHODS Records of children 0-17 years old who underwent native kidney biopsy from June 1st, 2013 to December 31st, 2018 in the national inpatients' database of China were analyzed. Biopsy-proven kidney diseases of different sex, age groups, and diagnosis, and the changing patterns of kidney disease compared with the previous study were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 21,311 patients from 232 hospitals with a median age of 11.34 years were included. Immunoglobulin A vasculitis with nephritis (IgAVN) was the most common pathological finding [29.17%, 95% confidence interval (confidence interval, CI) = 28.56-29.78], followed by IgA nephropathy (IgAN) (22.70%, 95% CI = 22.14-23.27). IgAN was the most common finding in patients with hematuria (60.75%, 95% CI = 58.83-62.65], proteinuria (33.43%, 95% CI = 30.54-36.42), and hematuria plus proteinuria (62.77%, 95% CI = 56.19-69.02). Minimal change disease was the most common finding (40.69%, 95% CI = 39.41-41.98) in nephrotic syndrome. The proportion of IgAVN in patients with biopsy-proven glomerular disease increased year by year during 2013-2018 (p for trend < 0.001) and was higher than that of 2004-2014 [29.41% (95% CI = 29.10-29.72) in 2013-2018 vs. 13.35% (95% CI = 12.97-13.73) 2004-2014, p < 0.001]. The proportion of hepatitis B virus associated nephritis during 2013-2018 was lower than that of 2004-2014 [0.44% (95% CI = 0.36-0.54) in 2013-2018 vs. 0.87% (95% CI = 0.67-1.10) in 2004-2014, p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS IgAVN and IgAN were the most common types of pathological findings in children who underwent kidney biopsies from 2013 to 2018. The pathological spectrum of kidney biopsy changed over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guohua He
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liyuan Tao
- Research Center of Clinical Epidemiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chenglong Li
- Peking University Clinical Research Institute, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xuhui Zhong
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Clinical Trial Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Ding
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cirillo L, Ravaglia F, Errichiello C, Anders HJ, Romagnani P, Becherucci F. Expectations in children with glomerular diseases from SGLT2 inhibitors. Pediatr Nephrol 2022; 37:2997-3008. [PMID: 35286452 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-022-05504-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public healthcare concern in the pediatric population, where glomerulopathies represent the second most common cause. Although classification and diagnosis of glomerulopathies still rely mostly on histopathological patterns, patient stratification should complement information supplied by kidney biopsy with clinical data and etiological criteria. Genetic determinants of glomerular injury are particularly relevant in children, with important implications for prognosis and treatment. Targeted therapies addressing the primary cause of the disease are available for a limited number of glomerular diseases. Consequently, in the majority of cases, the treatment of glomerulopathies is actually the treatment of CKD. The efficacy of the currently available strategies is limited, but new prospects evolve. Although the exact mechanisms of action are still under investigation, accumulating data in adults demonstrate the efficacy of sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in slowing the progression of CKD due to diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease. SGLT2i has proved effective on other comorbidities, such as obesity, glycemic control, and cardiovascular risk that frequently accompany CKD. The use of SGLT2i is not yet approved in children. However, no pathophysiological clues theoretically exclude their application. The hallmark of pediatric CKD is the inevitable imbalance between the metabolic needs of a growing child and the functional capacity of a failing kidney to handle those needs. In this view, developing better strategies to address any modifiable progressor in kidney disease is mandatory, especially considering the long lifespan typical of the pediatric population. By improving the hemodynamic adaptation of the kidney and providing additional beneficial effects on the overall complications of CKD, SGLT2i is a candidate as a potentially innovative drug for the treatment of CKD and glomerular diseases in children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Cirillo
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | - Hans-Joachim Anders
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine IV, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Paola Romagnani
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Continuous expansion of our knowledge in the pathogenesis of membranous nephropathy possible by the identification of antibodies recognized specific podocytes antigens results in unprecedent patient management strategy. RECENT FINDINGS Circulating anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) and anti-thrombospondin domain 7A (THSD7A) antibodies strongly relate with the modifications of podocytes biology leading to the new molecular diagnosis of membranous nephropathy. Immunization against THSD7A involves extra-renal mechanism. However, the pathway of anti-PLA2R immunization still remains unresolved. Experimental data highlight the crucial role of THSD7A in the attachment of podocytes to the glomerular basement membrane, rewarding the THSD7A pathogenicity, whereas the third of Koch's postulates is still not fulfilled for anti-PLA2R antibodies. The anti-PLA2R antibodies epitope spreading will possibly be even more specific marker improving the molecular classification of membranous nephropathy. Two immune epitopes have been identified in the N-terminal tail of THSD7A but without evidence of epitope spreading as for anti-PLA2R. SUMMARY In 2019, the Kidney Diseases: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines recognized anti-PLA2R antibodies (but not anti-THSD7A antibodies) as a valuable molecular risk factor for the pejorative evolution of kidney function and recommended their monitoring for the diagnosis and the assessment of membranous nephropathy immune activity. Screening for malignancy is particularly advised in THSD7A-mediated membranous nephropathy.
Collapse
|
7
|
Alhasan K, Aloudah NM, Bakhit AA, Alhamad YM, Chihabeddine KM, Alfaadhel TA, Aljohani TE, Alhozali HM, Alsuwaida AO. Renal histopathology spectrum in children with kidney diseases in Saudi Arabia, 1998-2017. Saudi Med J 2020; 41:369-375. [PMID: 32291423 PMCID: PMC7841618 DOI: 10.15537/smj.2020.4.24999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify the trends in the diagnostic frequency of glomerular disease subtypes by renal biopsy in children in Saudi Arabia over the last 20 years. METHODS In this retrospective observational study, we identified all patients aged less than 18 years for whom native kidney biopsy was performed between 1998 and 2017. The period during which biopsy was performed (1998-2004, 2005-2011, and 2012-2017) and the demographic information and their association with the prevalence of various glomerular disease subtypes were our primary outcomes. Results: A total of 326 cases with renal biopsy were analyzed; the mean age of participants being 11 years and 45.4% of them were girls. Unexpectedly, secondary glomerulonephritis accounted for 42.3% of the cases, and lupus nephritis was the most common cause noted in 20.7% of the cases. The minimal change and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis were the most common glomerulonephritis in 59% of the cases. The frequency of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis significantly decreased from 15% and 17% in the period prior to 2004 to 3.3% (p=0.003) and 1.7% in 2012-2017 (p less than 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We found a considerable shift in the frequency of many glomerular disease subtypes in 1998-2017, which make clinical predication of the underlying etiology challenging for clinician. Renal biopsy still remains a critical diagnostic procedure for managing a considerable proportion of renal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Alhasan
- Department of Pediatric, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Are electronic health records ready for clinical trial use? Nat Rev Nephrol 2020; 16:191-192. [DOI: 10.1038/s41581-020-0252-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
9
|
Hao GX, Song LL, Zhang DF, Su LQ, Jacqz-Aigrain E, Zhao W. Off-label use of tacrolimus in children with glomerular disease: Effectiveness, safety and pharmacokinetics. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2020; 86:274-284. [PMID: 31725919 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glomerular diseases are leading causes of end-stage renal disease in children. Tacrolimus is frequently used off-label in the treatment of glomerular diseases. The effectiveness, safety and pharmacokinetic data of tacrolimus in the treatment of glomerular diseases in children are reviewed in this paper to provide evidence to support its rational use in clinical practice. The remission rates in previously published studies were different. In 19 clinical trials on children with nephrotic syndrome, the overall remission rate was 52.6-97.6%. In four clinical trials on children with lupus nephritis, the overall remission rate was 81.8-89.5%. In a pilot study with paediatric Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis patients, the overall remission rate was 100.0%. Infection, nephrotoxicity, gastrointestinal symptoms and hypertension are the most common adverse events. Body weight, age, CYP3A5 genotype, cystatin-C and daily dose of tacrolimus may have significant effects on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in children with glomerular disease. More prospective controlled trials with long follow-up are needed to demonstrate definitely the effectiveness, safety and pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in children with glomerular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Xiang Hao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lin-Lin Song
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Dong-Feng Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Hebei Province affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Le-Qun Su
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Evelyne Jacqz-Aigrain
- Department of Pediatric Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Hôpital Robert Debré, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Glomerulonephritis (GN) refers to a group of renal diseases affecting the glomeruli due to the damage mediated by immunological mechanisms. A large proportion of the disease manifestations are caused by disturbances in the complement system. They can be due to genetic errors, autoimmunity, microbes or abnormal immunoglobulins, like modified IgA or paraproteins. The common denominator in most of the problems is an overactive or misdirected alternative pathway complement activation. An assessment of kidney function, amount of proteinuria and hematuria are crucial elements to evaluate, when glomerulonephritis is suspected. However, the cornerstones of the diagnoses are renal biopsy and careful examination of the complement abnormality. Differential diagnostics between the various forms of GN is not possible based on clinical features, as they may vary greatly. This review describes the known mechanisms of complement dysfunction leading to different forms of primary GN (like IgA glomerulonephritis, dense deposit disease, C3 glomerulonephritis, post-infectious GN, membranous GN) and differences to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. It also covers the basic elements of etiology-directed therapy and prognosis of the most common forms of GN. Common principles in the management of GN include treatment of hypertension and reduction of proteinuria, some require immunomodulating treatment. Complement inhibition is an emerging treatment option. A thorough understanding of the basic disease mechanism and a careful follow-up are needed for optimal therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kati Kaartinen
- Department of Nephrology, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Adrian Safa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy; Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Soumya Kotha
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy; Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Giorgio Ratti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy; Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Seppo Meri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy; Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; HUSLAB, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|