What are the Causes of IgA Nephropathy

IgA Nephropathy is clinically a common type of primary kidney disorder that damages filters of the kidneys (glomerulis) and cause proteinuria, hematuria, high blood pressure, etc. If this disease is poorly treated or controlled, the pathological damage on kidneys can get deteriorated over prolonged periods and cause renal insufficiency or even kidney failure. Knowing the causes of IgA Nephropathy help us to understand what is the proper treatment for this disease.

What are the underlying causes of IgA Nephropathy? IgA Nephropathy is a kind of autoimmune kidney disease. When bacteria intrude the body, the organism produce IgA antibody that target antimicrobial antigens, the massive IgA antibodies and IgA immune complexes, instead of being eliminated by the immune system, deposit on mesangial area of the kidneys, activate alternative complement pathway and damage the kidneys.

While the exact pathogenesis of IgA Nephropathy is not clear yet, it is accepted that the pathogenesis is associated to multiple risk factors and it is a glomerular disease that is mediated by IgAN immune complexes. Obviously deposited IgA(PlgA) on glomerulus suggests that IgA immune caused presence of PlgA in circulatory system and the deposition in mesangial area. In addition, the IgA1 in mesangium is similar to that in bloodstream, which suggests that the deposited IgA in glomerular mesangium is bone morrow derived. The IgA1 deposition in mesangium activated infiltration of inflammatory factors in mesangium.

For people with IgA Nephropathy, reducing any chance of infections or inflammations is important, since any infection even a simple cold can stir up immune reaction, activate inflammations on the kidneys and worsen the kidney condition. Immunosuppressant treatment often helps to remit symptoms such as proteinuria and blood in urine, and the functioning is mainly by restraining renal inflammation. However, to treat this disease effectively, it is essential to rid the IgA abnormalities, regulate the immune system, increase immunity and improves inflamed renal cells, only by way of which can the disease be effectively treated.