Characterization of patients with IgA nephropathy with and without associated minimal change disease

Introduction Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) presents various clinical manifestations and pathological phenotypes. Approximately 5% of patients with IgAN present early onset nephrotic syndrome, mild mesangial lesions, diffuse foot process effacement podocytes, which resemble minimal change disease (MCD). These are defined as MCD-IgAN. Whether MCD-IgAN is a special type or simply MCD accompanied by IgA deposition remains controversial. Methods total 51 diagnosed at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2010 to September 2022 were recruited. The characteristics IgA-MCD analyzed. Patients but without (non-MCD-IgAN) healthy participants enrolled controls. Galactose-deficient immunoglobulin A1 (Gd-IgA1) complement C3 detected both in the circulation renal tissues. Results We found that levels serum Gd-IgA1 lower than those non-MCD-IgAN, higher participants. was rarely deposited glomeruli MCD-IgAN, positive rate only 13.7% (7/51); contrast, non-MCD-IgAN 82.4% (42/51). Among Gd-IgA1-positive patients, (IgA) colocalized along glomerular capillary areas. Interestingly, we circulating significantly non-MCD-IgAN. In addition, intensity C3c weaker Conclusions Our study suggests that, most on not same pathogenic general IgAN. Complement activation locality much might be coincidental deposition.