Primary membranous nephropathy in two siblings with one combined with anti-glomerular basement membrane disease: a case report

BMC Nephrol. 2023 Jun 22;24(1):183. doi: 10.1186/s12882-023-03132-2.

Abstract

Background: The phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) associated with membranous nephropathy (MN) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease associated with PLA2R and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. Familial PLA2R-related MN is rarely reported. The combination of anti-GBM disease and MN has been well documented, though the mechanism behind it remains unclear.

Case presentation: We describe two siblings diagnosed with pathology-confirmed PLA2R-related MN 1 year apart. And one of the two siblings developed an anti-GBM disease. The high-resolution HLA typing showed identical alleles in both siblings, specifically heterozygotes of DRB1*15:01/*03:01.

Conclusion: We describe a familial case of PLA2R-related MN supporting the role of genetic factors that HLA-DRB1*15:01 and DRB1*03:01 predispose patients in the development of PLA2R-related MN in the Han Chinese population. The combination of MN and anti-GBM disease may also partially be associated with the same susceptible HLA allele DRB1*15:01.

Keywords: Anti-PLA2R antibody; Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease; Case report; HLA; Primary membranous nephropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease*
  • Autoantibodies
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous* / complications
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous* / diagnosis
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Nephritis, Hereditary* / genetics
  • Siblings

Substances

  • Autoantibodies