The mucosal immune system and IgA nephropathy

Loreto Gesualdo; Vincenzo Di Leo; Rosanna Coppo

doi:10.1007/s00281-021-00871-y

The mucosal immune system and IgA nephropathy

Semin Immunopathol. 2021 Oct;43(5):657-668. doi: 10.1007/s00281-021-00871-y. Epub 2021 Oct 12.

Authors

Loreto Gesualdo¹, Vincenzo Di Leo², Rosanna Coppo³

Affiliations

¹ Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy. loreto.gesualdo@uniba.it.
² Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
³ Fondazione Ricerca Molinette, Regina Margherita Hospital, Turin, Italy.

Abstract

The precise pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is still not clearly established but emerging evidence confirms a pivotal role for mucosal immunity. This review focuses on the key role of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in promoting the onset of the disease, underlying the relationship among microbiota, genetic factors, food antigen, infections, and mucosal immune response. Finally, we evaluate potential therapies targeting microbes and mucosa hyperresponsiveness in IgAN patients.

Keywords: Diet; Gut-kidney axis; IgA nephropathy; Microbiota; Mucosal immunity; Tonsil-kidney axis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Glomerulonephritis, IGA* / diagnosis
Glomerulonephritis, IGA* / etiology
Glomerulonephritis, IGA* / therapy
Humans
Immune System
Immunity, Mucosal
Immunoglobulin A
Microbiota*
Mucous Membrane / pathology

Substances

Immunoglobulin A