Antibodies to m-type phospholipase A2 receptor in children with idiopathic membranous nephropathy

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), the commonest cause of adult nephrotic syndrome (NS), accounts for only a minority of paediatric NS. Antibodies to m-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) are seen in two-thirds of adult IMN cases. PLA2R staining in glomerular deposits is observed in 74% and 45% of adult and paediatric IMN cases, respectively. However, there are no reports of anti-PLA2R in paediatric IMN. We evaluated anti-PLA2R levels and PLA2R in gloemrular deposits in paediatric IMN seen at our center. Five cases were enrolled, all the cases stained for PLA2R in glomeruli and three (60%) had antibodies to PLA2R antigen. There was a parellel reduction in proteinuria and anti-PLA2R titer. The present report suggests that PLA2R has a contributory role in the pathogenesis of paediatric IMN.