Immunoglobulin A nephropathy

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most prevalent primary form of glomerulopathy in the western world. The pathogenetic relevance of autoimmune mechanisms, genetics and environmental or nutritional factors is not fully established. The majority of IgAN patients present with mild symptoms; however, the exact prognosis of the individual IgAN course is often difficult to predict. In approximately one third of the patients the disease remains on a stable benign course, whereas approximately 30% may develop end-stage renal disease. Risk factors for disease progression are a persistent microhematuria and proteinuria >1 g/day, arterial hypertension and the extent of tubulointerstitial fibrosis at the time of diagnosis. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified numerous risk alleles, which can contribute to the pathophysiology of IgAN. The so-called gut-kidney axis as well as the complement system and genes that are linked to mucosal immunity appear to be important for the manifestation of the disease. Intensive supportive care should be initiated as first-line treatment and only rare cases with progressive features require treatment with corticosteroids. Other immunosuppressive treatment strategies have currently no indications for IgAN. Future approaches might be the use of local budesonide or the inhibition of lymphocyte activation.