M-type phospholipase A2 receptor as target antigen in idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy, a common form of the nephrotic syndrome, is an antibody-mediated autoimmune glomerular disease. Serologic diagnosis has been elusive because the target antigen is unknown.

Methods

We performed Western blotting of protein extracts from normal human glomeruli with serum samples from patients with idiopathic or secondary membranous nephropathy or other proteinuric or autoimmune diseases and from normal controls. We used mass spectrometry to analyze the reactive protein bands and confirmed the identity and location of the target antigen with a monospecific antibody.

Results

Serum samples from 26 of 37 patients (70%) with idiopathic but not secondary membranous nephropathy specifically identified a 185-kD glycoprotein in nonred

SUBMITTER: Beck LH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2762083 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature