Abstract
Circulating autoantibodies against the M-type phospholipase A(2) receptor (anti-PLA(2)R) were recently identified in the majority of patients in the United States with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (iMN). The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of anti-PLA(2)R in a separate, European cohort of iMN patients and to correlate the presence of anti-PLA(2)R with clinical parameters reflective of disease activity. Anti-PLA(2)R levels were blindly assessed by a Western blot immunoassay in 54 serum samples from 18 patients with iMN collected in various stages of clinical disease. Anti-PLA(2)R levels were correlated with other clinical parameters. 77.8% of iMN patients in our cohort had antibodies reactive with human PLA(2)R. The antibody levels in these patients correlated strongly with both clinical status and proteinuria (r = 0.73, P < 0.01). The role of PLA(2)R as a major antigen in iMN was confirmed in an independent, European patient cohort, and levels of circulating anti-PLA(2)R revealed a strong correlation with clinical disease activity. We propose that detection and measurement of these autoantibodies may provide a tool for monitoring of disease activity and treatment efficacy.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
