Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
07:15

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Published on: August 23, 2024

875

Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Patients with Membranous Nephropathy

Qiankun Zhang1,2, Yaomin Wang1, Ying Xu1

  • 1Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Institute of Nephrology, Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.

Nephron
|August 28, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Antiphospholipid antibodies, specifically anti-β2-glycoprotein I (anti-β2-GPI), are more prevalent in membranous nephropathy (MN) patients. Anti-β2-GPI positivity in MN patients correlates with improved creatinine levels after treatment, suggesting a role in disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Immunology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults.
  • The role of antiphospholipid antibodies in MN pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of antiphospholipid antibodies in patients diagnosed with membranous nephropathy (MN).
  • To compare antibody levels between MN patients and controls with minimal change disease (MCD) or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 267 MN patients and 131 MCD/FSGS control patients hospitalized between June 2015 and June 2017.
  • Detection rates of anti-β2-glycoprotein I (anti-β2-GPI) and IgG-anti-β2-GPI antibodies were compared between groups.
  • Clinical parameters, including serum C4 levels and serum creatinine, were analyzed in relation to antibody status.

Main Results:

  • A significantly higher detection rate of anti-β2-GPI antibodies was observed in MN patients (11.9%) compared to controls (4.5%).
  • MN patients positive for anti-β2-GPI antibodies exhibited lower serum C4 levels and demonstrated significant improvement in serum creatinine after 24 weeks of treatment.
  • IgG-anti-β2-GPI antibodies were also found more frequently in MN patients.

Conclusions:

  • Anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies may contribute to the progression of membranous nephropathy.
  • The mechanism may involve the activation of the classical complement pathway.
  • Identifying anti-β2-GPI antibodies could aid in predicting treatment response in MN patients.
Keywords:
Anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodiesComplement activationFocal segmental glomerulosclerosisMembranous nephropathyMinimal change disease

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Potential of Chinese Herbal Medicinal Active Dioscin in Treating IgA Nephropathy14:18

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Potential of Chinese Herbal Medicinal Active Dioscin in Treating IgA Nephropathy

Published on: October 13, 2023

2.3K
Bacterial Inner-membrane Display for Screening a Library of Antibody Fragments12:28

Bacterial Inner-membrane Display for Screening a Library of Antibody Fragments

Published on: October 15, 2016

12.0K

Related Concept Videos

Antibody Structure01:10

Antibody Structure

Overview
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
65.4K
Antibody Actions01:26

Antibody Actions

Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are critical players in the immune system's arsenal against invading pathogens. Produced by B cells and plasma cells, their primary role is to detect and bind to specific antigens, molecules found on the surface of pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Beyond antigen recognition, antibodies perform several vital functions that contribute to immune defense.
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...
2.4K
The Resting Membrane Potential01:21

The Resting Membrane Potential

Overview
141.9K
Introduction to Membrane Proteins01:16

Introduction to Membrane Proteins

The cell membrane, or plasma membrane, is an ever-changing landscape. It is described as a fluid mosaic where various macromolecules are embedded in the phospholipid bilayer. Among the macromolecules are proteins. The protein content varies across cell types. For example, mitochondrial inner membranes contain ~76% protein content, while myelin contains ~18% protein content. Individual cells contain many types of membrane proteins—red blood cells contain over 50—and different cell...
80.7K
What are Membranes?01:24

What are Membranes?

A cell's plasma membrane demarcates the cell's borders and determines the nature of its interaction with the environment. Cells exclude certain substances, take in others, and excrete some others in controlled quantities. The plasma membrane must be flexible to allow certain cells, such as red and white blood cells, to change their shape while passing through narrow capillaries. These are the more obvious plasma membrane functions. In addition, the plasma membrane's surface carries...
18.4K
What are Membranes?01:54

What are Membranes?

A key characteristic of life is the ability to separate the external environment from the internal space. To do this, cells have evolved semi-permeable membranes that regulate the passage of biological molecules. Additionally, the cell membrane defines a cell’s shape and interactions with the external environment. Eukaryotic cell membranes also serve to compartmentalize the internal space into organelles, including the endomembrane structures of the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum and...
188.5K