Abstract

The role of the complement system in mediating human renal disease has long been recognized in immune-complex excess syndromes such as systemic lupus erythematosus and in dense deposit disease in which no immunoglobulin (Ig) is present. Over the past 15 years, mutations in complement regulatory genes have been demonstrated to predispose to thrombotic microangiopathies including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, C3 and C1q glomerulopathies, and preeclampsia. Excessive complement activation on an endothelial cell, due to either an autoantibody or a regulatory protein deficiency, sets up a procoagulant state in these diseases as well as in the antiphospholipid syndrome. Knowledge of the genes involved and the functional consequences of alterations in their structure has led to therapy that blocks complement activation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)307-324
Number of pages18
JournalAnnual review of medicine
Volume64
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 14 2013

Keywords

  • C3 and C1q glomerulopathy
  • aHUS
  • antiphospholipid syndrome
  • complement inhibitors
  • preeclampsia

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Defective complement inhibitory function predisposes to renal disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this