Glomerular IgG subclasses in idiopathic and malignancy-associated membranous nephropathy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN), antibodies directed towards the glomerular phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) have mainly been reported to be of IgG4 subclass. However, the role of the different IgG subclasses in the pathogenesis of MN, both in idiopathic MN and in secondary cases, is still unclear. In this retrospective study, we test the hypothesis that the absence of glomerular IgG4 and PLA2R in patients with MN indicates malignant disease.

Methods

The distribution pattern of glomerular IgG subclasses and PLA2R was studied in 69 patients with idiopathic MN and 16 patients with malignancy-associated MN who were followed up for a mean of 83 months.

Results

A significant correlation between the absence of IgG4 and PLA2R and malignancy-associated M

SUBMITTER: Lonnbro-Widgren J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4515904 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature