title: Role of complement in IgA nephropathy.
abstract: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is characterized by the deposition of IgA in the mesangium of glomeruli. This mesangial IgA has been found to consist mainly of polymeric IgA1 which drives the activation of the mesangial cells and results in excessive production of several inflammatory mediators. The activation of mesangial cells is amplified by the ability of IgA to activate the complement system, originally thought to occur mainly via the alternative pathway of complement. However more recent studies indicate that lectin pathway involvement has a strong association with progression of renal disease. In this review we summarize the contribution of complement to the IgA- mediated inflammatory process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mohamed R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Daha
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands. kooten@lumc.nl.
authors.forename: Cees
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Kooten
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003167:Complement Activation; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D003165:Complement System Proteins
keywords: C4d; Complement; IgA nephropathy; MBL