PLA 2 R Autoantibodies and PLA 2 R Glomerular Deposits in Membranous Nephropathy

To the Editor: Membranous nephropathy is a common cause of the nephrotic syndrome in adults. Treatment is controversial and challenging because of the heterogeneity of the disease and a lack of reliable biomarkers.1,2 M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) was recently identified as a major target antigen involved in idiopathic membranous nephropathy in adults.3 Circulating autoantibodies against PLA2R were found in 70 to 80% of patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy but not in those with secondary membranous nephropathy or other renal diseases. It has been suggested that the serum level of PLA2R autoantibody . . .