Levels of urinary complement factor H in patients with IgA nephropathy are closely associated with disease activity

Scand J Immunol. 2009 May;69(5):457-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2009.02234.x. Epub 2008 Feb 6.

Abstract

Factor H plays a key inhibitory role in control of the activation of alternative pathway of complement system. The aim of the study was to investigate the predictive value of factor H as a biomarker of renal injury in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Urine factor H concentration from 202 patients was measured and compared with that of 60 healthy volunteers. Forty-eight patients fulfilled Haas-I or II (group 1), 60 fulfilled Haas-III (group 2) and 94 fulfilled Haas-IV or V (group 3). Co-deposition of factor H and C3b in kidneys were investigated using confocal microscope. The levels of urinary factor H, when expressed as a ratio of urinary creatinine, were significantly higher in groups 3 than group 1 and 2, also significantly higher in group 2 than group 1. In addition, the levels of urinary factor H were significantly higher in those with factor H deposition in the kidney than those without deposition. The levels of urinary factor H may be a useful biomarker to evaluate kidney injury in IgAN.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / urine
  • Complement C3b / metabolism
  • Complement Factor H / metabolism
  • Complement Factor H / standards
  • Complement Factor H / urine*
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Creatinine / urine
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
  • Glomerulonephritis, IGA / classification
  • Glomerulonephritis, IGA / diagnosis*
  • Glomerulonephritis, IGA / urine
  • Humans
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney / pathology*
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Reference Standards
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Complement C3b
  • Complement Factor H
  • Creatinine