Seven novel podocyte autoantibodies were identified to diagnosis a new disease subgroup-autoimmune Podocytopathies

Children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) usually have podocyte injury, and recent studies suggest a B cell dysfunction in INS. Therefore, this study attempts to screen and identify the podocyte autoantibodies in patients. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were used to screen and identify the pathogenic podocyte autoantibodies in children with INS. The positive rate, expression pattern, and clinical correlation of these podocyte autoantibodies in children with INS were determined by clinical study. At least 66% of INS children have podocyte autoantibodies. Seven podocyte autoantibodies closely related to INS were screened and identified for the first time in this study. These podocyte autoantibodies are positively correlated with proteinuria, and its titer will decrease rapidly after effective treatment. In this study, a group of new disease subgroup-"autoimmune podocytes" were identified by podocyte autoantibodies.