BACKGROUND: M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) was identified as the major target antigen in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). Another target antigen, namely thrombospondin type-1 domain-containing 7A (THSD7A), was recently detected in approximately 10% of non-PLA2R-associated IMN. In this single center retrospective study, clinical and histological features of PLA2R-associated and THSD7A-associated IMN patients were evaluated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 192 IMN patients, who were receiving no glucocorticoids or immunosuppressant before renal biopsy, were enrolled in this study and followed for a median duration of 25.5 months. IMN with enhanced glomerular PLA2R and THSD7A staining by immunohistochemistry (IHC) were designated as PLA2R-associated IMN and THSD7A-associated IMN respectively. Serum anti-PLA2R and anti-THSD7A antibodies levels were assessed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence testing in PLA2R-associated and THSD7A-associated IMN.

RESULTS: Of 192 IMN patients, 164 patients (85.4%) had PLA2R-associated IMN and 3 patients (1.6%) had THSD7A-associated IMN. Compared with non-PLA2R-associated IMN patients, the 24-hour urinary protein levels were significantly higher (P=0.008), whereas, the proteinuria remission rates were significantly lower (P=0.03) in PLA2R-associated IMN patients. No pathological differences were found between PLA2R-associated IMN and non-PLA2R-associated IMN. Among 3 THSD7A-associated IMN patients, 1 patient had elevated serum anti-THSD7A antibody levels, which was below detectable levels after achieving partial proteinuria remission with combined glucocorticoid and cyclosporine treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Compared with non-PLA2R-associated IMN patients in our cohort, PLA2R-associated IMN patients presented with more severe proteinuria and lower remission rates after treatment, with no distinct histological differences. Glomerular expression of PLA2R could be a useful marker to indicate the severity, treatment response, and prognosis of IMN.

Keywords: Glomerulonephritis, Membranous, Receptors, Phospholipase A2