Evaluation of the Complement System in the Pathogenesis and Prognosis of IgA Nephropathy and Membranous Nephropathy

• Grant number: 23/08452-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2023
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Cristiane Bitencourt Dias
• Grantee: Cristiane Bitencourt Dias
• Host Institution: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Karina Zanchetta Cardoso Eid

Abstract

The complement system is responsible for triggering a sequence of events that ultimately lead to the fight against pathogens and protection of the body. However, this same system and its deregulation may be at the root of autoimmune events that also lead to the installation of diseases. Activation of complement pathways occurs in several glomerular diseases and may confer a worse prognosis and earlier progression to end-stage renal disease. In membranous nephropathy, there are indications that the activation of the lecithin pathway and the alternative pathway leads to the formation of the membrane attack complex, causing damage to the basement membrane and causing significant proteinuria, which is the main characteristic of the disease. In IgA nephropathy, activation of the alternative pathway leads to local inflammation, cell proliferation and fibrosis. The pathogenesis of these pathways and their participation in glomerulopathies is still not fully understood and needs further study. (AU)