title: Inherited IgA glycosylation pattern in IgA nephropathy and HSP nephritis: where do we go next?
abstract: New data from Kiryluk et al. show the importance of genetic factors in determining the profile of serum IgA1 O-glycoforms in IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis. Elevated serum levels of poorly galactosylated IgA1 O-glycoforms do not, however, appear sufficient in themselves to cause nephritis in these two diseases, and a 'second hit' is necessary before changes in IgA1 glycosylation translate into clinical disease. The challenge now is to determine what these genetic factors are.
authors.affiliation: John Walls Renal Unit, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, UK. Jb81@le.ac.uk
authors.forename: Joanna K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barratt
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009394:Nephritis, Hereditary / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A