The Mayo Clinic consensus report on membranous nephropathy; a promising step toward better treating the disease

Abstract

Membranous nephropathy is an immune complex disease caused by subepithelial deposits. The pathological manifestations of membranous nephropathy are considered by the creation of immune complexes in the epithelial cells of the glomerular basement membrane. The established pathologic features of primary membranous nephropathy include subepithelial immune deposits, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, and podocyte foot process effacement. The clinical implications of pathological features of primary membranous nephropathy include male gender, age, persistent heavy proteinuria, decreased glomerular filtration rate on presentation, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Membranous nephropathy is diagnosed through a kidney biopsy, confirming subepithelial immune deposits, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane, and podocyte foot process effacement.