Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy results from the accumulation of IgA-containing immune complexes (IgA-ICs) and aberrant IgA antibodies in the glomerular mesangium. Now, researchers have found that complement pathway proteins are involved in the formation of these complexes. One such protein, complement factor H-related protein 1, is overexpressed in the glomeruli and IgA-ICs isolated from patients and could serve as a biomarker for disease susceptibility and progression, as well as a possible target for new therapies.
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy is an autoimmune disease characterized by the deposition of circulating IgA-containing immune complexes (IgA-ICs) in the glomerular mesangium, leading to mesangial cell proliferation, enhanced extracellular matrix production, and variable infiltration of…