Identification and characterization of a new autoimmune protein in membranous nephropathy by immunoscreening of a renal cDNA library.

Membranous Nephropathy (MN) represents a large amount of Nephrotic Syndromes in the adult population and its definitive diagnosis is currently carried out through biopsy. An autoimmune condition has been demonstrated in idiopathic MN (iMN) in which some kidney structures are targeted by patient autoantibodies. Some candidate antigens have been described and other likely involved target proteins responsible for the disease are not known yet.

The Role of PEC Progenitors in ADPKD Progression.

Background And Objectives: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is a pathology mainly characterized by the progressive development and enlargement of cysts in each kidneys. Such as many adult epithelial tissue, renal tubule replaces damaged or death cells through the presence of stem/progenitor cells CD133(+)CD24(+) Obviously, in ADPKD the repair of damages is insufficient to block the disease, but renal stem cells could have a role in the pathology. In this study we investigate the localization and the involvement of cells CD133(+)CD24(+) in ADPKD progression.

Interstitial fluid obtained from kidney biopsy as new source of renal biomarkers.

Introduction: Development of renal biomarkers is required to improve on diagnostic accuracy, prognosis and prediction of response to therapy in renal disease. We describe a new method of obtaining from renal specimens a biologic fluid potentially enriched in secreted proteins.

Methods: A renal biopsy specimen was centrifuged, and the interstitial fluid (IF) obtained was evaluated by SELDI-ToF, 1D and 2D gel electrophoresis.

Proteomic analysis of urine from proteinuric patients shows a proteolitic activity directed against albumin.

Background: Nephrotic syndrome is a condition that is clinically associated with poor outcome. In this study, we compared different techniques of urine sample preparation in order to develop a robust analytical protocol to define the differential urinary proteome of urinary abnormalities compared to nephrotic proteinuria.

Methods: We recruited 5 normal control subjects, 16 patients with urinary abnormalities and 16 patients with nephrotic syndrome.