Immunoglobulin A Vasculitis and Renal Outcomes
Summary
Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) is a small-vessel inflammatory disorder characterised by the deposition of IgA1-dominant immune complexes in vessel walls. It predominantly affects children but also occurs in adults, presenting with palpable purpura, arthralgia, abdominal pain and varying degrees of renal involvement. Renal manifestations span from isolated haematuria to full-blown nephritic or nephrotic syndrome, with a minority progressing to chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease. Central to pathogenesis are galactose-deficient IgA1 complexes, complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, leading to microvascular injury. The extent of renal involvement dictates long-term prognosis and informs therapeutic strategies, which may include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and renin–angiotensin system inhibitors. Contemporary research aims to identify early predictors of nephritis, unravel genetic susceptibility factors and develop non-invasive biomarkers. Such advances in immunopathology and molecular profiling hold the promise of more precise risk stratification and improved renal outcomes worldwide.
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Immunoglobulin A Vasculitis and Renal Outcomes publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in immunoglobulin a vasculitis and renal outcomes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Immunoglobulin A (IgA): An antibody isotype central to mucosal immunity; in IgAV, IgA1 forms immune complexes that deposit in small vessels.
Vasculitis: Inflammation of blood vessel walls, leading to vessel damage and impaired tissue perfusion.
Nephritis: Inflammation of the kidneys; in IgAV, this arises from IgA complex deposition in renal microvasculature.
Glomerulonephritis: A specific form of nephritis affecting the glomeruli, often presenting with haematuria and proteinuria.
Biomarker: A measurable molecule indicating the presence, severity or progression of disease.
Transcriptomics: The comprehensive study of RNA transcripts to profile gene-expression patterns in tissues.
References
- Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of biopsy-confirmed adult-onset IgA vasculitis in southern Sweden. RMD Open (2024).
- HLA Polymorphisms and Clinical Manifestations in IgA Vasculitis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
- Deregulation in adult IgA vasculitis skin as the basis for the discovery of novel serum biomarkers. Arthritis Research & Therapy (2024).
- IgA vasculitis update: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and biomarkers. Frontiers in Immunology (2022).
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