IgA nephropathy enigma

0469665 - MBÚ 2017 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Městecký, Jiří - Novák, J. - Moldoveanu, Z. - Raška, M.
IgA nephropathy enigma.
Clinical Immunology. Roč. 172, NOV 2016 SI (2016), s. 72-77. ISSN 1521-6616. E-ISSN 1521-7035
R&D Projects: GA MZd(CZ) NV15-33686A
Institutional support: RVO:61388971
Keywords : IgA nephropathy * IgA subclasses * Autoimmunity
Subject RIV: EE - Microbiology, Virology
Impact factor: 3.990, year: 2016

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the leading cause of primary glomerulonephritis in the world. The disease is characterized by the presence of IgA-containing immune complexes in the circulation and in mesangial deposits with ensuing glomerular injury. Although in humans there are two IgA subclasses, only IgA1 molecules are involved. The exclusivity of participation of IgA1 in IgAN prompted extensive structural and immunological studies of the unique hinge region (HR) of IgA1, which is absent in otherwise highly homologous IgA2. HR of IgA1 with altered O-glycans serves as an antigen recognized by autoantibodies specific for aberrant HR glycans leading to the generation of nephritogenic immune complexes. However, there are several unresolved questions concerning the phylogenetic origin of human IgA1 HR, the structural basis of its antigenicity, the origin of antibodies specific for HR with altered glycan moieties, the regulatory defects in IgAl glycosylation pathways, and the potential approaches applicable to the disease-specific interventions in the formation of nephritogenic immune complexes. This review focuses on the gaps in our knowledge of molecular and cellular events that are involved in the immunopathogenesis of IgAN.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0268287