The role of complement in autoimmune renal disease.
The predominance of renal involvement in autoimmune diseases can most likely be assigned to the specialised function of the kidneys filtrating over 120 ml plasma per minute. Complement activation by autoantibodies directed against planted antigens or antigens already present in renal tissue in the subendothelial and mesangial regions provoke an inflammatory response ultimately resulting in renal damage. New data also suggest complement involvement in the pathogenesis of renal disease caused by subepithelial immune complex deposition. On the other hand complement itself can also be a target of an autoimmune responses causing renal damage as seen in SLE. The results on intervention of complement activation in clinical practise are awaited.
Seelen
M A
MA
Renal Transplantation Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Daha
M R
MR
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000009:adverse effects; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051056:Complement Inactivating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015432:Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001323:Autoantibodies; D051056:Complement Inactivating Agents