[Autoantibodies as serological markers in the diagnosis of glomerulonephritis]

Autoimmunity is now regarded as the unequivocally predominant pathogenic process underlying most forms of primary and secondary glomerulonephritis in humans, and a number of autoantibodies occurring in conjunction with glomerulonephritis have been discovered. However, apart from the anti-NC1 antibodies occurring in classic Goodpasture's syndrome, the exact pathogenic role of these autoantibodies in human glomerulonephritis remains to be established, though this in no way diminishes the importance of their study. They have been of enormous value in subclassifying glomerulonephritis, previously thought to be a homogeneous entity. Autoantibody analysis has become a vital aid in the early diagnosis of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, which in turn has enabled treatment to be started early, thus contributing to a decline in the morbidity and mortality resulting from these disorders. Moreover, investigation of these autoantibodies will be of immense value in future studies focused on the pathogenic mechanisms involved in glomerulonephritis.