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Updated: Jul 9, 2025

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Potential of Chinese Herbal Medicinal Active Dioscin in Treating IgA Nephropathy
Published on: October 13, 2023
Targeting the Endothelin A Receptor in IgA Nephropathy
Donald E Kohan1, Jonathan Barratt2, Hiddo J L Heerspink3
1Division of Nephrology, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide and carries a substantial risk of kidney failure. New agency-approved therapies, either specifically for IgAN or for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in general, hold out hope for mitigating renal deterioration in patients with IgAN. The latest addition to this therapeutic armamentarium targets the endothelin-A receptor (ETAR). Activation of ETAR on multiple renal cell types elicits a host of pathophysiological effects, including vasoconstriction, cell proliferation, inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Blockade of ETAR is renoprotective in experimental models of IgAN and reduces proteinuria in patients with IgAN. This review discusses the evidence supporting the use of ETAR blockade in IgAN as well as addressing the potential role for this class of agents among the current and emerging therapies for treating this disorder.
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide and carries a substantial risk of kidney failure. New agency-approved therapies, either specifically for IgAN or for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in general, hold out hope for mitigating renal deterioration in patients with IgAN. The latest addition to this therapeutic armamentarium targets the endothelin-A receptor (ETAR). Activation of ETAR on multiple renal cell types elicits a host of pathophysiological effects, including vasoconstriction, cell proliferation, inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Blockade of ETAR is renoprotective in experimental models of IgAN and reduces proteinuria in patients with IgAN. This review discusses the evidence supporting the use of ETAR blockade in IgAN as well as addressing the potential role for this class of agents among the current and emerging therapies for treating this disorder.
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