Autoimmunity in Glomerular Diseases - Looking Beyond the Kidney

Session description:
The focus of nephrologists when studying glomerular diseases has traditionally been to analyze structural changes and cellular injury of glomerular cells, including endothelial cells, mesangial cells and podocytes. In this session, recent advances in the understanding of disease pathogenesis will be highlighted, which involves systemic immune system and how its derangement results in glomerular injury. These recent findings provide new disease biomarkers and give strong rationale for new therapeutics that target specific immune cells or immunoglobulins. 
Learning objectives:
Learn the significance of anti-nephrin antibodies in the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome. Learn the mechanisms of IgA deposition in the mesangium and its implication in treatments. Review recent advances in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis and their implication in new therapeutic approaches.