Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2025
09:43
Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
Published on: June 8, 2022
2.9K
The role of complement in kidney disease
Vojtech Petr1,2, Joshua M Thurman3
1Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
Nature Reviews. Nephrology
|September 21, 2023
Summary
The complement system, part of innate immunity, can cause kidney injury when overactivated. New complement-targeted drugs offer novel treatments for various kidney diseases beyond traditional immunosuppressants.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nephrology
Background:
- The complement cascade is a key component of the innate immune system, involving proteins that mediate inflammatory and metabolic responses.
- While essential for host defense, uncontrolled complement activation can lead to tissue damage, particularly in the kidneys.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of complement activation in kidney diseases.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of complement-targeted drugs in nephrology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of complement system function in kidney disease pathogenesis.
- Analysis of current and emerging complement-targeted therapies.
Main Results:
- Complement activation is implicated not only in autoimmune kidney diseases but also in non-immune-mediated conditions like diabetic kidney disease and hemolytic-uremic syndrome.
- Several complement-targeted drugs are approved or in clinical trials for kidney disease treatment.
Conclusions:
- Complement-targeted therapies represent a distinct therapeutic class, addressing pathological pathways not covered by conventional immunosuppressants.
- These novel agents hold significant promise for improving outcomes in a wide range of kidney diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Renal Corpuscle
2.5K
The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous...
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous...
2.5K
01:27Complement System
2.4K
The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a...
2.4K
01:25Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
20
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) arises when the kidneys progressively lose their ability to function, ultimately leading to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). At this advanced stage, the kidneys can no longer filter waste or maintain essential body functions, requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) through dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival.Early-stage chronic kidney disease and detection challengesIn CKD's early stages, symptoms often remain absent because healthy nephrons compensate...
20
01:29Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
12
Acute kidney injury (AKI) causes are categorized into three primary categories based on the location of the injury: prerenal, intrarenal (or intrinsic), and postrenal causes. This classification guides clinical management and illustrates how different pathways can impair kidney function.Etiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney Injury1. Prerenal causesEtiology: Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury, the most common type, occurs when reduced blood flow to the kidneys decreases filtration capacity...
12
01:28Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
28
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires collaborative and comprehensive management. CKD progresses through stages and can lead to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) if untreated. Interprofessional collaboration and patient education are crucial, enabling patients to manage their health and improve their quality of life.Diagnostic approach for chronic kidney diseaseThe diagnosis of CKD primarily focuses on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which assesses kidney function by measuring how well...
28
01:10Nephrons
2.7K
The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma...
2.7K