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Anti-nephrin antibody: a potential biomarker of minimal change disease

Qiaoling Chen1,2, Sihui Chen1, Qiuping Ye1,2

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.

Clinical Kidney Journal
|March 6, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Circulating anti-nephrin antibody shows promise as a biomarker for minimal change disease (MCD). This antibody may aid in diagnosing MCD and correlating with disease activity, offering a potential alternative to kidney biopsy.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Immunology
  • Diagnostic Biomarkers

Background:

  • Minimal change disease (MCD) is a primary cause of nephrotic syndrome with unclear pathogenesis.
  • Current diagnosis of MCD necessitates invasive renal biopsy, lacking specific biomarkers.
  • There is a critical need for reliable diagnostic tools for MCD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the diagnostic utility of circulating anti-nephrin antibody in minimal change disease (MCD).
  • To assess the correlation between anti-nephrin antibody levels and indicators of MCD disease activity.
  • To explore the potential of anti-nephrin antibody as a non-invasive biomarker for MCD.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 108 adult patients with various glomerular diseases, including 36 with MCD, and 20 healthy controls.
  • Detected circulating anti-nephrin antibody using a cell-based indirect immunofluorescence assay.
  • Employed Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for diagnostic evaluation and correlated antibody levels with clinical parameters.

Main Results:

  • Circulating anti-nephrin antibody was detected in 19.44% of MCD patients, significantly higher than in other glomerular diseases and healthy volunteers.
  • ROC analysis indicated a sensitivity of 19.4% and a high specificity of 97.8% for anti-nephrin antibody in diagnosing MCD.
  • Positive anti-nephrin antibody correlated with increased proteinuria, elevated serum lipids, and decreased serum albumin and IgG levels, potentially reverting to negative with treatment response.

Conclusions:

  • Circulating anti-nephrin antibody demonstrates potential as a valuable biomarker for diagnosing minimal change disease (MCD).
  • This antibody may serve as a non-invasive diagnostic marker, aiding in MCD diagnosis and monitoring.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the role of anti-nephrin antibody in MCD pathogenesis and clinical management.
Keywords:
anti-nephrin antibodybiomarkerminimal change diseasenephrinpodocyte damage

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