Chapters authored
Complement-Mediated Kidney Disease
From very discovery of the complement cascade, it had an intriguing role in pathophysiology of kidney disease. The hallmark of complement cascade involvement in kidney diseases comprises of immune-complexes deposits in the glomeruli, acting as activation for the classical pathway. However, additional mechanisms of complement activation, namely alternative and lectin pathways are extremely important and prominent in complement-mediated kidney disease. Disease prototype of activation of complement is an atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome with solid activation of complement and C3 glomerulopathy is a hallmark of fluid phase activation of alternative complement pathway. Further research has shown that alternative pathway also plays a role in pathogenesis and progression of other kidney diseases including anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis and immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis as well as IgA nephropathy. A better understanding of complement system’s role in kidney disease has also brought forth novel therapeutic approaches in form of complement cascade inhibitors, revolutionizing the treatment of patients that were faced with unfavorable outcomes. Through this chapter, we bring to you an overview of most prevalent complement-mediated kidney diseases with emphasis on the role of complement in their pathogenesis and the potential for treatment targeting the complement cascade.
Part of the book: Novel Topics in the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-Up of Nephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome, and Nephrosis