When contactin antibodies hit the podocyte: a new neurorenal syndrome

Membranous 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. Membranous 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. 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 Contactin-1–associated membranous nephropathy: complete immunologic and clinical remission with rituximabKidney InternationalVol. 100Issue 6PreviewIn this issue of Kidney International, Le Quintrec et al.1 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. Full-Text PDF