Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) is characterized by the nephrotoxic monoclonal immunoglobulin secreted by an otherwise asymptomatic or indolent B cell or plasma cell clone, without hematologic criteria for treatment. These MGRS-associated diseases can involve one or more renal compartments, including glomeruli, tubules, and vessels. Hydrophobic residue replacement, N-glycosylated, increase in isoelectric point in monoclonal immunoglobulin (MIg) causes it to transform from soluble form to tissue deposition, and consequently resulting in glomerular damage. In addition to MIg deposition, complement deposition is also found in C3 glomerulopathy with monoclonal glomerulopathy, which is caused by an abnormality of the alternative pathway and may involve multiple factors including complement component 3 nephritic factor, anti-complement factor auto-antibodies, or MIg which directly cleaves C3. Furthermore, inflammatory factors, growth factors, and virus infection may also participate in the development of the diseases. In this review, for the first time, we discussed current highlights in the mechanism of MGRS-related lesions.
Keywords: Kidney injury; Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance; Monoclonal immunoglobulin; Pathogenesis.