Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney
Published on: November 1, 2018
Complement and kidney diseases: unlocking the opportunity of targeted treatments for glomerular diseases, including
Joshua Wade1, David C Thomas1, Matthew C Pickering2
1Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Insights
Multiple new complement inhibitors offer hope for kidney diseases like IgA nephropathy. However, careful patient selection is crucial due to complex complement activity and potential side effects, requiring validated biomarkers for targeted therapy.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Therapeutic complement inhibitors targeting various pathway components are nearing availability for kidney diseases.
- Complement plays a complex role in kidney diseases, exemplified by IgA nephropathy.
- Potential adverse effects of complement inhibition necessitate precise patient stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the need for robust patient selection and stratification for novel complement inhibitors in kidney diseases.
- To emphasize the requirement for validated biomarkers to guide targeted complement inhibition therapy.
- To address the challenges in maximizing the therapeutic potential of complement inhibitors.
Main Methods:
- Review of current understanding of complement pathways in kidney diseases.
- Analysis of the therapeutic landscape for complement inhibitors.
- Identification of gaps in patient stratification and biomarker development.
Main Results:
- Multiple complement inhibitors targeting different pathways are imminent.
- IgA nephropathy serves as a model for complex complement involvement.
- Current biomarkers are insufficient for clinical stratification to targeted therapies.
Conclusions:
- Maximizing the benefit of complement inhibitors requires careful patient selection.
- Validated biomarkers are essential for guiding targeted complement inhibition in kidney diseases.
- Further research is needed to develop and validate biomarkers for clinical use.
Abstract:
The imminent availability of multiple therapeutic complement inhibitors, which target different complement pathway components, could revolutionise treatment for a broad range of kidney diseases. However, the complexity of complement activity within and between kidney diseases, for which IgA nephropathy is an illustrative example, and the possible adverse effects of complement inhibition mean robust patient selection and stratification to appropriately targeted inhibitors will be needed to maximise this therapeutic opportunity. Despite promising candidates, novel biomarkers that stratify patients to targeted complement inhibition have not yet been validated for clinical practice.
Related Concept Videos
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care

