title: Glomerular diseases and transplantation: similarities in pathogenetic mechanisms and treatment options.
abstract: Glomerular diseases and renal transplantation have always been considered as independent fields of nephrology, due to the supposed prevalent role of antibody production and immune complex formation in glomerulonephritis versus a direct reaction of immune cell towards the grafted kidney. However, both conditions share common pathogenetical pathways, and possible new therapeutic approaches are being envisaged. Innate immunity, particularly Toll-like receptors, dendritic cells and complement pathways, B cells and antibody networks are involved in the development of glomerular damage as well as graft injury. Consequently, new treatments targeting previously not considered immune pathways, like nuclear factor-κB or the proteasome and B-cell activation with antibody production, are being tested in glomerular diseases and in transplanted kidneys.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ponticelli
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coppo
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvadori
mesh_terms: D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D011379:Prognosis