What is it about?
Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome. Prior studies suggested that MN could cause chronic kidney disease (CKD) and as final result, end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Taiwan has the highest prevalence of ESRD worldwide, and MN may be one of the causes. Genetic and environmental factors may contribute to progression and renal fibrosis in most renal diseases. This review highlights candidate genes studied over these past three years in Taiwan and their relationship to the high incidence of MN.
Featured Image
Why is it important?
Taiwan has the highest prevalence of end-stage renal disease worldwide and MN may be one cause. Genetic susceptibility plays a major role in pathogenesis. Most genes contributing to MN susceptibility remain unidentified; well-organized approach like Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) may obtain definite conclusions regarding such genes in the near future
Perspectives
MN occurs when the small blood vessels in the kidney (glomeruli), which filter wastes from the blood, become damaged and thickened. As a result, proteins leak from the damaged blood vessels into the urine (proteinuria). For many, loss of these proteins eventually causes signs and symptoms known as nephrotic syndrome. In many, the disease ultimately leads to kidney failure. There's no absolute cure for MN, but successful treatment can lead to remission of proteinuria and a good long-term outlook.
Dr. Shih-Yin Chen
China Medical University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Genetic susceptibility to idiopathic membranous nephropathy in high-prevalence Area, Taiwan, BioMedicine, June 2014, EDP Sciences,
DOI: 10.7603/s40681-014-0009-y.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
