Complement system in IgA nephropathy.

A study on the histopathological findings and analysis of complement systems in patients with IgA nephropathy is described. A close association between complement deposition and destruction of glomerular tissues was observed. The prominent complement components related to the glomerular deposition of IgA were those of the alternative pathway of complement activation. However, components of the classical complement pathway might be related to the deposition of IgG and IgM in the glomerulus. It is suggested that the analysis of the complement system in patients with IgA nephropathy is useful for evaluation of tissue damage and thus the prognosis of such patients.