Project description:Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. Recent years have witnessed significant improvements in the understanding of the pathogenesis of IgAN and particularly, the pathogenic role of complement activation. The alternative complement pathway is the major complement cascade activator in IgAN, and glomerular C3 deposition has been shown to correlate with disease progression. In addition, several studies have provided insight into the pathogenic role of factor H-related proteins -1 and -5 in IgAN, as independent players in complement dysregulation. The lectin pathway has also been shown to be associated with the severity of IgAN. Glomerular deposition of C4d has been associated with increased histologic disease activity, faster decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate and higher risk of kidney failure. On the other hand, although overlooked in the Oxford classification, numerous studies have shown that the coexistence of thrombotic microangiopathy in IgAN is a significant indicator of a poorer prognosis. All the breakthroughs in the understanding of the contributing role of complement in IgAN have paved the way for the development of new complement-targeted therapies in this disease. Several ongoing trials are evaluating the efficacy of new agents against factor B (iptacopan, Ionis-FB-LRX), C3 (pegcetacoplan), factor D (vemircopan, pelecopan), C5 (ravulizumab, cemdisiran) and C5a receptor 1 (avacopan). In this study, we provide a comprehensive review of the role of complement in IgAN, including the emerging mechanisms of complement activation and the promising potential of complement inhibitors as a viable treatment option for IgAN.
Project description:Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common type of primary glomerulonephritis, often progressing to renal failure. IgAN is triggered by IgA deposition in the glomerular mesangium by an undefined mechanism. Here, we show that grouped ddY (gddY) mice, a spontaneous IgAN model, produce serum IgA against mesangial antigens, including βII-spectrin. Most patients with IgAN also have serum anti-βII-spectrin IgA. As in patients with IgAN, IgA+ plasmablasts accumulate in the kidneys of gddY mice. IgA antibodies cloned from the plasmablasts carry substantial V-region mutations and bind to βII-spectrin and the surface of mesangial cells. These IgAs recognize transfected and endogenous βII-spectrin exposed on the surface of embryonic kidney-derived cells. Last, we demonstrate that the cloned IgA can bind selectively to glomerular mesangial regions in situ. The identification of IgA autoantibody and its antigen in IgAN provides key insights into disease onset and redefines IgAN as a tissue-specific autoimmune disease.
Project description:IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a leading cause of CKD and renal failure. Recent international collaborative efforts have led to important discoveries that have improved our understanding of some of the key steps involved in the immunopathogenesis of IgAN. Furthermore, establishment of multicenter networks has contributed to rigorous design and execution of clinical trials that have provided important insights regarding immunotherapy in IgAN. In this article, we review emerging developments in clinical and translational IgAN research and describe how these novel findings will influence future strategies to improve the outcome of patients with IgAN.
Project description:Environmental pathogens are suspected to aggravate renal injury in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), but neither underlying mechanisms nor specific exogenous antigens have been identified. In this study, a genome-wide scan of ddY mice, which spontaneously develop IgAN, was performed, and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) was identified as a candidate gene for progression of renal injury (chi(2) = 21.103, P = 0.00017). For evaluation of the potential influence of environmental pathogens on progression of renal injury, ddY mice were housed in either conventional or specific pathogen-free conditions. Expression of genes encoding toll-like receptors (TLR) and the signaling molecule MyD88 were quantified by real-time reverse transcription-PCR in splenocytes. Although the housing conditions did not affect the prevalence of IgAN, the severity of renal injuries was higher in the conventionally housed group. Mice that had IgAN and were housed in conventional conditions had higher levels of TLR9 and MyD88 transcripts than mice that had IgAN and were housed in specific pathogen-free conditions. Furthermore, nasal challenge with CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides, which are ligands for TLR9, aggravated renal injury, led to strong Th1 polarization, and increased serum and mesangial IgA. For investigation of whether these results may be generalizable to humans, single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the TLR9 and MyD88 genes were analyzed in two cohorts of patients with IgAN; an association was observed between TLR9 polymorphisms and disease progression. In summary, these findings suggest that activation of the TLR9/MyD88 pathway by common antigens may affect the severity of IgAN.
Project description:Endothelin is a vasoconstricting peptide that plays a key role in vascular homeostasis, exerting its biologic effects via two receptors, the endothelin receptor A (ETA) and endothelin receptor B (ETB). Activation of ETA and ETB has opposing actions, in which hyperactive ETA is generally vasoconstrictive and pathologic. Selective ETA blockade has been shown to be beneficial in renal injuries such as diabetic nephropathy and can improve proteinuria. Atrasentan is a selective pharmacologic ETA blocker that preferentially inhibits ETA activation. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of ETA blockade by atrasentan in ameliorating proteinuria and kidney injury in murine adriamycin nephropathy, a model of human focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. We found that ETA expression was unaltered during the course of adriamycin nephropathy. Whether initiated prior to injury in a prevention protocol (5 mg/kg/day, i.p.) or after injury onset in a therapeutic protocol (7 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg three times a week, i.p.), atrasentan did not significantly affect the initiation and progression of adriamycin-induced albuminuria (as measured by urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratios). Indices of glomerular damage were also not improved in atrasentan-treated groups, in either the prevention or therapeutic protocols. Atrasentan also failed to improve kidney function as determined by serum creatinine, histologic damage, and mRNA expression of numerous fibrosis-related genes such as collagen-I and TGF-β1. Therefore, we conclude that selective blockade of ETA by atrasentan has no effect on preventing or ameliorating proteinuria and kidney injury in adriamycin nephropathy.
Project description:IntroductionGalactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) and related IgA/IgG immune complexes have been identified as the key drivers in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). However, their roles in the development of secondary IgAN are still unknown.MethodsIn this study, we measured the plasma Gd-IgA1 level, IgA/IgG complex, and Gd-IgA1 glomerular deposits in 100 patients with various kinds of secondary IgAN. Plasma Gd-IgA1 was measured using a lectin-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Gd-IgA1 in glomerular deposits was examined by double immunofluorescent staining using its specific monoclonal antibody KM55.ResultsPatients with secondary IgAN presented with higher plasma Gd-IgA1 levels compared to healthy controls (median, 354.61 U/ml; interquartile range [IQR], 323.93, 395.57 U/ml vs. median, 303.17 U/ml; IQR, 282.24, 337.92 U/ml, P < 0.001) or patients with other kidney diseases (median, 314.61 U/ml; IQR, 278.97, 343.55 U/ml, P < 0.001). A similar trend was observed in plasma IgA/IgG immune complexes or IgA1. There were no differences between secondary and primary IgAN in plasma Gd-IgA1 levels (median, 378.54 U/ml; IQR, 315.96, 398.33 U/ml, P = 0.700) and IgA1-IgG complex levels (median, 18.76 U/ml; IQR, 14.51, 22.83 U/ml vs. median, 19.11 U/ml; IQR, 13.21, 22.37 U/ml, P = 0.888). Co-localized IgA1 and Gd-IgA1 of both secondary and primary IgAN indicated that they both share the feature of Gd-IgA1 deposits on the glomerular mesangium.ConclusionOur study strongly suggests that secondary IgAN shares a similar galactose-deficient IgA1-oriented pathogenesis with primary IgAN.
Project description:Purpose of the reviewImmunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerular kidney disease. Children and adults are presumed to have the same disease and are treated similarly. However, there are differences between childhood IgAN and adult IgAN that may require unique treatment considerations, even after transition to adult nephrology services. A narrative review was conducted to compare childhood and adult IgAN and to describe the distinct characteristics of childhood IgAN. Reframing childhood IgAN can inform guideline recommendations unique to childhood IgAN, the development of targeted therapies, and clinical trial design.Sources of informationMedline and Embase were searched for reports on children and adults with IgAN published between January 2013 and December 2023 (updated May 2024). The search was not restricted by age group, outcomes reported, language, or study design. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, review articles, and nephrology conference abstracts were included. A total of 3104 reports were retrieved. Forty-seven reports (37 primary studies and 10 reviews) were included in the review. Two RCTs and 35 observational studies included a total of 45 085 participants (9223 children and 35 862 adults).MethodData were extracted for primary IgAN and not for IgA vasculitis-associated nephritis. Findings were described with no statistical comparisons due to variations in interventions and outcome definitions.Key findingsGross hematuria was the obvious clinical difference between childhood IgAN and adult (60-88% vs 15-20%). Nephrotic syndrome was more common in children, approaching up to 44%, while <18% of adults had nephrotic syndrome. Children were biopsied sooner (6 vs 15 months) and had more inflammatory kidney lesions (mesangial hypercellularity: 41-82% vs 38-64%; endocapillary hypercellularity: 39-58% vs 17-34%). Chronic kidney lesions were more prevalent in adults (segmental sclerosis: 62-77% vs 8-51%; interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy: 34-37% vs 1-18%). The use of immunosuppressive therapy was higher in children (46-84% vs 35-56%). Children were started on immunosuppressive therapy sooner than adults. Adults were more likely to be optimized with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (87-94% vs 49-75%). Children had better kidney function than adults at diagnosis (estimated glomerular filtration rate of 90-128 vs 50-88 ml/min/1.73 m2), and children also had better kidney survival, with kidney failure of 3.1% vs 13.4% at 5 years. Children had more risk alleles for IgAN and higher levels of mannose-binding lectin than adults.LimitationsMost studies were retrospective and observational, with limited data on children and disease mechanisms. Data were not pooled for analysis because of important differences in definitions and measurements of baseline characteristics and outcomes. Data from countries with established urine screening programs were different compared to countries without urine screening programs. Some observed differences may be due to practice variation and delayed diagnosis in adults (lead-time bias). Well-designed prospective studies and standardized measures for kidney function assessment and outcomes can reduce heterogeneity and improve results from reviews.ConclusionInherent differences between childhood IgAN and adult IgAN may be due to distinct disease mechanisms. Approaching childhood IgAN as a separate condition could lead to the discovery of targeted therapies and improve management during childhood and after the transition to adult care.
Project description:IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. It is considered that the pathogenesis of IgAN involves the 'multiple hit theory' and the immune-inflammatory mechanism; however, these theories have certain limitations. The gold standard for diagnosing IgAN is still renal biopsy. Although renal biopsy is accurate, it is traumatic and is associated with some risks and limitations, so there is a need for non-invasive diagnostic methods. According to recent studies, microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the occurrence and development of IgAN; thus, they provide the possibility of the noninvasive diagnosis of IgAN and also have some value in predicting prognosis. This review summarizes the current research status of miRNAs in the occurrence, development, diagnosis, and prognosis of IgAN. We also highlight some interesting and challenging points that require further study.
Project description:Diabetic nephropathy is becoming a more predominant cause of end-stage renal disease, as the prevalence of diabetes mellitus worldwide is on the rise. In this systematic review, we aimed to define the role of endothelin receptor antagonists, in the prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy, in addition to determining their safety. For this review, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases, in addition to ClinicalTrials.gov, were searched for publications in the last 20 years. We included 14 studies, seven randomized control trials, and seven post hoc analyses in this paper. Atrasentan decreased albuminuria, reduced blood pressure, and improved lipid profiles with more manageable fluid overload-related adverse events than avosentan and bosentan. Overall, endothelin receptor antagonists, in combination with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, effectively reduce albuminuria and prevent the progression of diabetic kidney disease. However, more extensive clinical trials still need to be conducted to confirm these relationships and to learn more about the specific factors affecting their efficacy in individual patients.