You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023PD19-01 C3a/C3aR1 SIGNALING AS A CRUCIAL PATHOGENIC MECHANISM IN MEMBRANOUS NEPHROPATHY Qi Zhang, Sofia Bin, Astgik Petrosyan, Valentina Villani, Kevin Lemley, Roger de Filippo, Laura Perin, Paolo Cravedi, and Stefano da Sacco Qi ZhangQi Zhang More articles by this author , Sofia BinSofia Bin More articles by this author , Astgik PetrosyanAstgik Petrosyan More articles by this author , Valentina VillaniValentina Villani More articles by this author , Kevin LemleyKevin Lemley More articles by this author , Roger de FilippoRoger de Filippo More articles by this author , Laura PerinLaura Perin More articles by this author , Paolo CravediPaolo Cravedi More articles by this author , and Stefano da SaccoStefano da Sacco More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003285.01AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Primary membranous nephropathy (MN) is a leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults worldwide caused by the deposition of anti-podocyte-antibodies in the glomerular subepithelial space. While complement deposition is thought to play a crucial pathogenic role, the exact effector mechanism of complement in MN is unclear due to the lack of in vitro and in vivo systems that can faithfully recapitulate human disease. We have developed a novel glomerulus-on-a-chip system (GOAC) using human primary podocytes and glomerular endothelial cells (GEC) and assessed functional response to human MN serum, role of membrane-attack-complex (MAC) formation and C3a/C3aR1 signaling in MN pathogenesis. METHODS: GOACs were exposed to anti-PLA2R+ sera from MN patients; sera from healthy individuals were used as control. Functional response was assessed by albumin permeability assay to evaluate permselectivity. Role of PLA2R1, IgGs, complement, MAC and C3a/C3aR1 signaling pathway were assessed by immunofluorescence, western blotting and functional analysis while mechanisms of action were explored by PCR arrays, proteomics and immunostaining. Results were confirmed in vitro using podocytes on which C3aR1 was silenced and in vivo using THSD7A induced MN in balb/c mice. RESULTS: Following exposure to sera from MN patients, we confirmed lgG deposition, complement activation and MAC formation accompanied by albumin leakage. PLA2R silencing on podocytes, IgG neutralization as well as complement inactivation successfully prevented injury while leakage still occurred following MAC inhibition. GOAC supplemented with C3aR1 antagonists as well as GOAC using podocytes in which C3aR1 was silenced were able to counteract glomerular filtration damage and prevent albumin leakage and lessen oxidative stress in podocytes. Efficacy of C3aR1 antagonists in preventing proteinuria was confirmed in vivo, substantiating our findings. CONCLUSIONS: We have successfully developed a glomerulus-on-a-chip system that closely mimics the GFB structure and provides a powerful tool for studying renal regenerative and disease mechanisms in proteinuric diseases. Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, we showed that C3a/C3aR signaling plays a dominant role in complement-mediated MN pathogenesis. Source of Funding: NIH NIDDK © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e577 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Qi Zhang More articles by this author Sofia Bin More articles by this author Astgik Petrosyan More articles by this author Valentina Villani More articles by this author Kevin Lemley More articles by this author Roger de Filippo More articles by this author Laura Perin More articles by this author Paolo Cravedi More articles by this author Stefano da Sacco More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...