M-Type Phospholipase A ₂ Receptor as Target Antigen in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy

Abstract

A majority of patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy have antibodies against a conformation-dependent epitope in PLA(2)R. PLA(2)R is present in normal podocytes and in immune deposits in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy, indicating that PLA(2)R is a major antigen in this disease.