PEPTIDE PROJECT

FRRB Project 1737173 - PLA2R-autoreactivE B-cell subsets in membranous nePhropaThy: Identification of outcome predictors and novel insights into Disease pathogenesis

Name and Surname of PI

Federica Casiraghi

Project Acronym

PEPTIDE

Project ID

1737173

Host Institution

Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS - Milan

Pathology of Interest

Membranous Nephropathy

Research Area

Nephrology

Project Start Date

1 March 2021

Project End Date

29 February 2024

Funding

€ 579.040,00

Type of Project

Individual

PROJECT SUMMARY

Membranous Nephropathy (MN) is a renal disease caused by auto-antibodies directed against the phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R), a protein expressed on the surface of kidney podocytes. Treatment with a drug that depletes B cells – the cells that are ultimately responsible for antibody production – induces remission of the disease in MN patients. However, 40% of them do not respond to this therapy, and 30% of patients relapse after initially achieving remission. The reasons for this non-homogeneous efficacy are largely unknown. The aim of this project is to evaluate the frequency, characteristics and survival of the specific B cell subset that secretes anti-PLA2R autoantibodies in MN patients. Results of this project will provide insight into disease pathogenesis, allow to differentiate a priori patients who may benefit from anti B-cell or alternative treatment strategies, and lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of MN.