title: IgM in the kidney: a multiple personality disorder.
abstract: IgM in the blood of normal individuals consists mainly of 'natural' polyreactive antibodies. Natural IgM is thought to provide an initial defense against infection and to promote the healing of wounded cells. Yet, as Panzer and colleagues show, these benefits can be eclipsed when the IgM binds to damaged cells of the glomerulus, activating complement. IgM in glomeruli thus signifies cellular damage and may warn that the pace of that damage exceeds the capacity for repair.
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.|Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors: Jeffrey L
authors: JL
authors: Platt
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.|Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors: Marilia
authors: M
authors: Cascalho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003167:Complement Activation; D017242:Complement Factor H / Q000378:metabolism*; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000209:etiology*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000378:metabolism*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D017242:Complement Factor H