title: Pathogenic IgA in IgA nephropathy: still the blind men and the elephant?
abstract: IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the most common glomerulonephritis worldwide, remains an important cause of end-stage renal failure. The pathology is characterized by mesangial deposition of IgA. The disease is now recognized as arising from anomalies of the IgA molecule and the kidneys are innocent bystanders. The immunochemical nature of the IgA molecule and its mesangial uptake command a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of IgAN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. knlai@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000116:Acetylgalactosamine / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000737:chemistry; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid; D000116:Acetylgalactosamine