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Detection of MicroRNA Expression in the Kidneys of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathic Mice
Published on: July 8, 2020
Cryoglobulinemia and renal disease
Charles E Alpers1, Kelly D Smith
1Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. calp@u.washington.edu
Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension
|April 15, 2008
Summary
Hepatitis C virus infection is linked to cryoglobulinemia and kidney disease in over 50% of cases. Early detection of subclinical glomerular disease and B lymphocyte interventions are key for managing hepatitis C virus-associated cryoglobulinemia.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cryoglobulinemia presents in diverse conditions like infections and autoimmune diseases.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection significantly increases cryoglobulinemia and renal disease prevalence.
- Understanding cryoglobulinemia mechanisms is crucial for managing HCV-related complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review cryoglobulin types, formation mechanisms, and HCV's link to renal disease.
- Discuss current therapeutic strategies for cryoglobulinemia.
- Highlight the impact of HCV on extrahepatic complications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cryoglobulinemia and HCV-associated renal disease.
- Analysis of prevalence data in HCV-infected populations.
- Examination of proposed mechanisms of cryoglobulin formation and renal injury.
Main Results:
- Cryoglobulinemia affects over 50% of some HCV-infected subpopulations.
- Subclinical glomerular disease is common in HCV-related cryoglobulinemia.
- HCV treatment focuses on viremia eradication, with growing use of B lymphocyte interventions.
- Innate immune system involvement in disease initiation is suggested.
Conclusions:
- Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is the most common renal injury in HCV infection, with or without cryoglobulinemia.
- Research is increasingly focused on elucidating the mechanisms linking HCV, cryoglobulinemia, and renal injury.
- Further investigation into the evolution of renal injury across all cryoglobulinemia settings is warranted.
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