The genetic architecture of membranous nephropathy and its potential to improve non-invasive diagnosis Jingyuan Xie et al. # Membranous Nephropathy (MN) is a rare autoimmune cause of kidney failure. Here we report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for primary MN in 3,782 cases and 9,038 controls of East Asian and European ancestries. We discover two previously unreported loci, NFKB1

BACKGROUND In the context of kidney transplantation, genomic incompatibilities between donor and recipient may lead to allosensitization against new antigens. We hypothesized that recessive inheritance of gene-disrupting variants may represent a risk factor for allograft rejection. METHODS We performed a two-stage genetic association study of kidney allograft rejection. In the first stage, we performed a recessive association screen of 50 common gene-intersecting deletion polymorphisms in a cohort of kidney transplant recipients. In the second stage, we replicated our findings in three independent cohorts of donor–recipient pairs. We defined genomic collision as a specific donor–recipient genotype combination in which a recipient who was homozygous for a gene-intersecting deletion received a transplant from a nonhomozygous donor. Identification of alloantibodies was performed with the use of protein arrays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and Western blot analyses. RESULTS In the discovery cohort, which included 705 recipients, we found a significant association with allograft rejection at the LIMS1 locus represented by rs893403 (hazard ratio with the risk genotype vs. nonrisk genotypes, 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35 to 2.50; P= 9.8×10−5). This effect was replicated under the genomic-collision model in three independent cohorts involving a total of 2004 donor–recipient pairs (hazard ratio, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.25 to 1.93; P = 6.5×10−5). In the combined analysis (discovery cohort plus replication cohorts), the risk genotype was associated with a higher risk of rejection than the nonrisk genotype (hazard ratio, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.37 to 1.95; P = 4.7×10−8). We identified a specific antibody response against LIMS1, a kidney-expressed protein encoded within the collision locus. The response involved predominantly IgG2 and IgG3 antibody subclasses. CONCLUSIONS We found that the LIMS1 locus appeared to encode a minor histocompatibility antigen. Genomic collision at this locus was associated with rejection of the kidney allograft and with production of anti-LIMS1 IgG2 and IgG3. (Funded by the Columbia University Transplant Center and others.)

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and C3 glomerulopathy (dense deposit disease and C3 glomerulonephritis) are characterized inappropriate activation of the alternative complement pathway (AP). Genetic mutations affecting the AP regulating proteins (complement factor H, I, membrane co-factor protein, complement factor H related proteins) and triggers (such as infection, surgery, pregnancy, and autoimmune disease flares) result in the clinical manifestation of these diseases. A decade ago prognosis of these disease states was quite poor with the majority of patients developing end-stage renal disease. Furthermore, renal transplantation in these conditions was associated with poor outcomes due to graft loss to recurrent disease. Recent advances in targeted complement inhibitor therapy resulted in significant improvement in disease remission, renal recovery, health-related quality of life and allograft survival.

r-ATG may provide a survival benefit in SHKT, especially in sensitized patients maintained on TAC/MPA/PRED at hospital discharge.

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