Researchers have developed a new technique to detect kidney diseases associated with nephrotic syndrome.
- Nephrotic syndrome, characterized by high protein in urine, is linked to complex kidney diseases such as minimal change disease (MCD), segmental and focal glomerulosclerosis (FSG), and membranous nephropathy (MN).
- Diagnosis of these conditions is often problematic due to reluctance to perform invasive kidney biopsies, particularly in children.
- To solve this difficulty, researchers have invented a new technique.
A new study has just revealed a significant advance in the diagnosis of kidney diseases associated with nephrotic syndrome.
Kidney diseases: what is nephrotic syndrome?
Nephrotic syndrome, characterized by high protein in urine, is linked to complex kidney diseases such as minimal change disease (MCD), primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and membranous nephropathy (MN). The main cause of nephrotic syndrome is the deterioration of podocytes, the cells responsible for filtering the kidneys allowing proteins to flow into the urine.
Diagnosis of these conditions is often problematic due to their common histologic features and reluctance to perform invasive renal biopsies, particularly in children.
Diagnosis of kidney diseases: how does the new tool work?
The research, carried out in Europe and the United States, introduced a new approach combining immunoprecipitation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to reliably detect anti-nephrin autoantibodies.
The results revealed that anti-nephrin autoantibodies were present in 69% of adults with MCD who had not been treated with immunosuppressive drugs. Importantly, levels of these autoantibodies correlate with disease activity, revealing their potential as a biomarker for monitoring pathology progression.
Diagnosis of kidney diseases: “our results lay the foundations for personalized interventions”
Nicola M. Tomas, co-author of the study, said: “the identification of anti-nephrin autoantibodies as a reliable biomarker, combined with our hybrid immunoprecipitation technique, strengthens our diagnostic capabilities and opens new avenues to closely monitor the evolution of renal disorders with nephrotic syndrome.”
Professor Tobias B. Huber, leader of the study, added: “By providing insight into the underlying mechanisms, these findings lay the foundation for personalized interventions and pave the way for a new era of precision medicine for these complex diseases.”
The study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine and was presented to the 61st ERA Congress in Stockholm, Sweden.
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