STUDY TITLE: The genetic architecture of membranous nephropathy and its potential to improve non-invasive diagnosis
SUMMARY: Identification of 4 genomic regions associated with membranous nephropathy, an autoimmune disease of the kidneys.
OVERVIEW: Kidneys are organs that remove waste and excess water from the blood, which eventually ends up as urine. Membranous nephropathy (MN) is an autoimmune disease that leads to kidney failure. This genome-wide association study attempted to identify genetic variants associated with an increased risk of membranous nephropathy. By examining the genetic data of over 12,000 individuals of East Asian and European ancestries, 4 regions of the genome correlated to an increased risk of MN. All identified variants are near genes related to the immune system’s function, underscoring that membranous nephropathy is an autoimmune disease. Furthermore, the variants have previously been linked to inflammatory bowel disease, another autoimmune condition.
DID YOU KNOW? Treatments for membranous nephropathy include drugs that cause the patients to urinate more and a low-salt diet. Medications that help keep the immune system under control are also used. [SOURCE]
SAMPLE RESULTS: Learn more about the Nebula Research Library.
MN-ASSOCIATED VARIANTS: rs9271573, rs17831251, rs9405192, rs230540
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Your kidneys and how they work
Membranous neuropathy (Video)
WEEKLY UPDATE: April 21, 2020
