An approach to research on nephritic factor and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis].

Hiroyuki Ohi

Tsurumi-Nishiguchi Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.

Nihon Jinzo Gakkai shi 2012

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Although it has been 45 years since membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and C3 nephritic factor (3NeF) were first reported, the pathophysiology of MPGN is not fully understood at present. Careful analysis of previous case reports of MPGN has been the key to developing approaches to study the mechanisms of MPGN pathophysiology. In this review, previous studies on MPGN, mainly on its association with C3NeF, are discussed and important issues on MPGN as yet unknown are stated. Complements play important roles in MPGN. Studies on complements, particularly C3NeF, advanced as studies on pathophysiology of MPGN progressed and consequently, complement activation alternative pathways were clarified. Important, although not well-known research subjects on MPGN, include characteristics of several kinds of NeF and type I, III and dense deposit disease (DDD). Detailed reading of case reports often yields new research ideas and study directions of the disease and its treatment. The present review demonstrates that reviewing previous case reports is one approach to further advancing our understanding of the complicated disease of MPGN.