Lupus nephritis

Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease.[3] It is a type of glomerulonephritis in which the glomeruli become inflamed. As the result of SLE, the cause of glomerulonephritis is said to be secondary and has a different pattern and outcome from conditions with a primary cause originating in the kidney.[4][2]

Lupus nephritis
Other namesSLE nephritis[1]
Micrograph of diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis showing increased mesangial matrix and mesangial hypercellularity. Kidney biopsy. PAS stain.
SpecialtyNephrology 
SymptomsJoint pain or swelling[2]
CausesComplication of systemic lupus erythematosus.[3]
Diagnostic methodComplement levels, Urinalysis[3]
TreatmentCorticosteroids may be used[3]

Classification

Class I disease (minimal mesangial glomerulonephritis) in its histology has a normal appearance under a light microscope, but mesangial deposits are visible under an electron microscope. At this stage urinalysis is normal.[5]

Class II disease (mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis) is noted by mesangial hypercellularity and matrix expansion. Microscopic haematuria with or without proteinuria may be seen. Hypertension, nephrotic syndrome, and acute kidney injury are very rare at this stage.[5]

Class III disease (focal glomerulonephritis) is indicated by sclerotic lesions involving less than 50% of the glomeruli, which can be segmental or global, and active or chronic, with endocapillary or extracapillary proliferative lesions. Under the electron microscopy, subendothelial deposits are noted, and some mesangial changes may be present. Immunofluorescence reveals positively for IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and C1q. Clinically, haematuria and proteinuria are present, with or without nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, and elevated serum creatinine.[5]

Diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis as seen in a pathology specimen

Class IV disease (diffuse proliferative nephritis) is both the most severe, and the most common subtype. More than 50% of glomeruli are involved. Lesions can be segmental or global, and active or chronic, with endocapillary or extracapillary proliferative lesions. Under electron microscopy, subendothelial deposits are noted, and some mesangial changes may be present. Clinically, haematuria and proteinuria are present, frequently with nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, hypocomplementemia, elevated anti-dsDNA titres and elevated serum creatinine.[5]

Class V disease (membranous glomerulonephritis) is characterized by diffuse thickening of the glomerular capillary wall (segmentally or globally), with diffuse membrane thickening, and subepithelial deposits seen under the electron microscope. Clinically, stage V presents with signs of nephrotic syndrome. Microscopic haematuria and hypertension may also be seen. Stage V can also lead to thrombotic complications such as renal vein thromboses or pulmonary emboli.[5]

Class VI, or advanced sclerosing lupus nephritis.[6] a final class which is included by most practitioners. It is represented by global sclerosis involving more than 90% of glomeruli, and represents healing of prior inflammatory injury. Active glomerulonephritis is not usually present. This stage is characterised by slowly progressive kidney dysfunction, with relatively bland urine sediment. Response to immunotherapy is usually poor. A tubuloreticular inclusion within capillary endothelial cells is also characteristic of lupus nephritis and can be seen under an electron microscope in all stages. It is not diagnostic however, as it exists in other conditions such as HIV infection.[7] It is thought to be due to the chronic interferon exposure.[8]

Signs and symptoms

General symptoms of lupus nephritis include[2][9]

Cause

The cause of lupus nephritis, a genetic predisposition, plays role in lupus nephritis. Multiple genes, many of which are not yet identified, mediate this genetic predisposition.[6][10]

The immune system protects the human body from infection, and with immune system problems it cannot distinguish between harmful and healthy substances. Lupus nephritis affects approximately 3 out of 10,000 people.[3]

Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of lupus nephritis has autoimmunity contributing significantly. Autoantibodies direct themselves against nuclear elements. The characteristics of nephritogenic autoantibodies (lupus nephritis) are antigen specificity directed at nucleosome, high affinity autoantibodies form intravascular immune complexes, and autoantibodies of certain isotypes activate complement.[6]

Diagnosis
Membranous nephropathy

The diagnosis of lupus nephritis depends on blood tests, urinalysis, X-rays, ultrasound scans of the kidneys, and a kidney biopsy. On urinalysis, a nephritic picture is found and red blood cell casts, red blood cells and proteinuria is found. The World Health Organization has divided lupus nephritis into five stages based on the biopsy. This classification was defined in 1982 and revised in 1995.[11][12]

Treatment
Cyclophosphamide

Drug regimens prescribed for lupus nephritis include mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), intravenous cyclophosphamide with corticosteroids, and the immune suppressant azathioprine with corticosteroids.[14] MMF and cyclophosphamide with corticosteroids are equally effective in achieving remission of the disease, however the results of a recent systematic review found that immunosuppressive drugs were better than corticosteroids for renal outcomes.[15] MMF is safer than cyclophosphamide with corticosteroids, with less chance of causing ovarian failure, immune problems or hair loss. It also works better than azathioprine with corticosteroids for maintenance therapy.[16][17] A 2016 network meta-analysis, which included 32 RCTs of lupus nephritis, demonstrated that tacrolimus and MMF followed by azathioprine maintenance were associated with a lower risk of serious infection when compared to other immunosuppressants or glucocorticoids.[18][19] Individuals with lupus nephritis have a high risk for B-cell lymphoma (which begins in the immune system cells).[2]

See also

References
  1. Ponticelli, C.; Moroni, G. (2005-01-01). "Renal transplantation in lupus nephritis". Lupus. 14 (1): 95–98. doi:10.1191/0961203305lu2067oa. ISSN 0961-2033. PMID 15732296. S2CID 36968488.
  2. "Lupus Nephritis". www.niddk.nih.gov. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  3. "Lupus nephritis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". www.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
  4. Saxena, Ramesh; Mahajan, Tina; Mohan, Chandra (2011-01-01). "Lupus nephritis: current update". Arthritis Research & Therapy. 13 (5): 240. doi:10.1186/ar3378. ISSN 1478-6354. PMC 3308062. PMID 22078716.
  5. Lewis, Edmund J.; Schwartz, Melvin M. (2010-11-04). Lupus Nephritis. OUP Oxford. pp. 174–177. ISBN 9780199568055.
  6. "Lupus Nephritis: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology". 2018-12-23. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. Kfoury H (2014). "Tubulo-reticular inclusions in lupus nephritis: are they relevant?". Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation. 25 (3): 539–43. doi:10.4103/1319-2442.132169. PMID 24821149.
  8. Karageorgas TP, Tseronis DD, Mavragani CP (2011). "Activation of type I interferon pathway in systemic lupus erythematosus: association with distinct clinical phenotypes". Journal of Biomedicine & Biotechnology. 2011: 1–13. doi:10.1155/2011/273907. PMC 3227532. PMID 22162633.
  9. Information, National Center for Biotechnology; Pike, U. S. National Library of Medicine 8600 Rockville; MD, Bethesda; Usa, 20894. "Lupus Nephritis - National Library of Medicine". PubMed Health. Retrieved 2015-11-03.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. Salgado, Alberto (2012). "Lupus Nephritis: An Overview of Recent Findings". Autoimmune Diseases. 2012: 849684. doi:10.1155/2012/849684. PMC 3318208. PMID 22536486.
  11. Weening JJ, D'Agati VD, Schwartz MM, et al. (February 2004). "The classification of glomerulonephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus revisited". J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 15 (2): 241–50. doi:10.1097/01.ASN.0000108969.21691.5D. PMID 14747370.
  12. "National Guideline Clearinghouse | American College of Rheumatology guidelines for screening, treatment, and management of lupus nephritis". www.guideline.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-09-18. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
  13. Table 6-4 in: Elizabeth D Agabegi; Agabegi, Steven S. (2008). Step-Up to Medicine (Step-Up Series). Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-0-7817-7153-5.
  14. Singh, Jasvinder A.; Hossain, Alomgir; Kotb, Ahmed; Wells, George A. (2016). "Comparative effectiveness of immunosuppressive drugs and corticosteroids for lupus nephritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis". Systematic Reviews. 5 (1): 155. doi:10.1186/s13643-016-0328-z. ISSN 2046-4053. PMC 5020478. PMID 27619512.
  15. Singh, Jasvinder A.; Hossain, Alomgir; Kotb, Ahmed; Oliveira, Ana; Mudano, Amy S.; Grossman, Jennifer; Winthrop, Kevin; Wells, George A. (2016). "Treatments for Lupus Nephritis: A Systematic Review and Network Metaanalysis". The Journal of Rheumatology. 43 (10): 1801–1815. doi:10.3899/jrheum.160041. ISSN 0315-162X. PMID 27585688.
  16. Tunnicliffe, David J.; Palmer, Suetonia C.; Henderson, Lorna; Masson, Philip; Craig, Jonathan C.; Tong, Allison; Singh-Grewal, Davinder; Flanc, Robert S.; Roberts, Matthew A.; Webster, Angela C.; Strippoli, Giovanni Fm (29 June 2018). "Immunosuppressive treatment for proliferative lupus nephritis". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 6: CD002922. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002922.pub4. ISSN 1469-493X. PMC 6513226. PMID 29957821.
  17. Masson, Philip (2011). "Induction and maintenance treatment of proliferative lupus nephritis" (PDF). Nephrology. 18: 71–72. doi:10.1111/nep.12011. S2CID 56952099. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  18. Singh, Jasvinder A.; Hossain, Alomgir; Kotb, Ahmed; Wells, George (2016-09-13). "Risk of serious infections with immunosuppressive drugs and glucocorticoids for lupus nephritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis". BMC Medicine. 14 (1): 137. doi:10.1186/s12916-016-0673-8. ISSN 1741-7015. PMC 5022202. PMID 27623861.
  19. Tang, Kuo-Tung; Tseng, Chien-Hua; Hsieh, Tsu-Yi; Chen, Der-Yuan (June 2018). "Induction therapy for membranous lupus nephritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis". International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. 21 (6): 1163–1172. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.13321. ISSN 1756-185X. PMID 29879319. S2CID 46951249.

Further reading
Classification
External resources
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