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Complement and kidney disease

H Terence Cook1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Centre for Complement and Inflammation Research, Imperial College London, London, UK.

Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension
|March 20, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Genetic variations in the complement system are increasingly linked to kidney diseases like IgA nephropathy and lupus. New therapies targeting complement activation show promise for treating these renal pathologies.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The complement system is a crucial part of innate immunity.
  • Dysregulation of the complement system is implicated in various kidney diseases.
  • Genetic factors play a significant role in complement-mediated renal pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the complement system's role in renal pathology.
  • To highlight the association between genetic variations and kidney diseases.
  • To discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting the complement system.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent literature on complement system and renal pathology.
  • Analysis of genetic association studies (GWAS) and mutation analyses.
  • Examination of preclinical and clinical studies of complement-targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • Genetic variations in complement and its control proteins are linked to IgA nephropathy, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), C3 glomerulopathy, and hemolytic uremic syndrome.
  • Polymorphisms in complement factor H-related genes are associated with susceptibility to IgA nephropathy and SLE.
  • Mutations in complement genes are linked to familial C3 glomerulopathy and hemolytic uremic syndrome.
  • Anti-C5 antibody therapy is being explored for renal diseases.
  • Targeted inhibition of C3 activation shows promise in preclinical models.

Conclusions:

  • Complement activation and dysregulation are key factors in diverse renal pathologies.
  • Emerging therapeutic strategies offer potential for targeted treatment of complement-mediated kidney diseases.
Abstract

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