Abstract
Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) in children is characterized by massive proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia. Minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) is the most common form of INS in children. The pathogenesis of MCNS still remains unclear, however, several hypotheses have been recently proposed. For several decades, MCNS has been considered a T-cell disorder, which causes the impairment of the glomerular filtration barrier with the release of different circulating factors. Increased levels of several cytokines are also suggested. Recently, a “two-hit” theory was proposed that included the induction of CD80 (B7-1) and regulatory T-cell (Treg) dysfunction, with or without impaired autoregulatory functions of the podocyte. In contrast to the well-established involvement of T cells, the role of B cells has not been clearly identified. However, B-cell biology has recently gained more attention, because rituximab (a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20-bearing cells) demonstrated a very good therapeutic response in the treatment of childhood and adult MCNS. Here, we discuss recent insights into the pathogenesis of MCNS in children.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 205-211 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Korean Journal of Pediatrics |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 May |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Andreas Kronbichler was supported by the ERA-EDTA with a long-term fellowship (12 months) from August 2014 to August 2015. Jae Il Shin was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) and funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2011-0013789, 2013R1A1A1012112 and 2015R1C1A1A01052984).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 by The Korean Pediatric Society.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Pediatrics