Contactin-1–associated membranous nephropathy: complete immunologic and clinical remission with rituximab

In this issue of Kidney International, Le Quintrec et al.1 Le Quintrec M, Teisseyre M, Bec N, et al. Contactin-1 is a novel target antigen in membranous nephropathy associated with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Kidney Int. 2021;100:1240–1249. Google Scholar identified contactin-1 (CNTN1) as the potential antigen in 5 patients with membranous nephropathy (MN) associated with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Here, we report the case of an additional patient with this rare association who experienced remission of his neurologic disease and nephrotic syndrome after the addition of rituximab, after having failed therapy with i.v. Ig alone. Contactin-1 is a novel target antigen in membranous nephropathy associated with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathyKidney InternationalVol. 100Issue 6PreviewPrimary membranous nephropathy (MN) is an autoimmune glomerular disease in which autoantibodies are directed against podocyte proteins. In about 80% of cases the main targeted antigen is the phospholipase A2 receptor 1 (PLA2R1). Anti-PLA2R1 antibodies are mainly immunoglobulin G type 4 (IgG4). However, the antigenic target remains to be defined in 20% of cases. MN can be associated with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, an autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system where a common antigenic target has yet to be identified. Full-Text PDF When contactin antibodies hit the podocyte: a new neurorenal syndromeKidney InternationalVol. 100Issue 6PreviewMembranous nephropathy can be associated with various etiologies and antigens. In this issue of Kidney International, Le Quintrec et al. described contactin-1 cell adhesion molecule as a novel target antigen shared by the peripheral nerve and podocyte in patients with neurological disease and membranous nephropathy. Full-Text PDF Collapsing glomerulopathy following SARS-CoV-2 adenovirus-vector–based vaccine: report of 2 casesKidney InternationalVol. 101Issue 3PreviewIn the setting of the rapid spread of the pandemic by the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the kidney was recognized as a frequent target.1 With the beginning of vaccination for COVID-19, several cases of postvaccination immunologic manifestations have been described.2 We report herein the first 2 cases of patients who developed biopsy-proven collapsing glomerulopathy (CG) after SARS-CoV-2 adenovirus-vector (AdV)–based vaccination. Full-Text PDF