[Immunogenetics of glomerulopathies].

There are many evidences that the HLA genes are risk factors for kidney complex disease for the pathogenesis of which an abnormal response of the immune system is involved. In this review, we present the latest knowledge about the genetics of the HLA complex, the molecules encoded by the HLA genes, their polymorphism and the physiological role of the HLA system in the defense against infections. It then addresses the issue of the association between specific alleles of HLA and renal disorders. Many kidney diseases have been described associated with HLA. This review focuses on some examples of renal diseases, exploring in detail how certain HLA antigens are a risk factor for idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis, Goodpasture's disease and vasculitis associated with the presence of ANCA. These diseases indeed offer a good example of how the presence of some variants of HLA class II genes in individuals who possess them promote the presentation of peptides derived from certain self proteins, able to initiate the autoimmune response. Immunogenetic study of many complex renal diseases can be useful for the understanding of their pathogenesis and the possible development of new therapies.