Low-density lipoprotein apheresis for PLA2R-related membranous glomerulonephritis accompanied by IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis

IgG4-related disease preferentially involves the kidney by tubulointerstitial nephritis with IgG4-positive plasma cell filtration and/or membranous glomerulonephritis. We reported the case of a 68-year-old man with IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis combined with antiphospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R)-related membranous glomerulonephritis, in which distinguishing between idiopathic PLA2R-related and IgG4-related secondary membranous glomerulonephritis was difficult. We diagnosed him as having IgG4-related disease, based on a serum IgG4 level of 170 mg/dL and the presence of IgG4-related parotiditis. On renal biopsy, there was tubulointerstitial nephritis with IgG4-positive plasma cell filtration, which was compatible with IgG4-related disease and membranous glomerulonephritis, with concomitant positive staining for PLA2R on immunofluorescence microscopy. The renal function immediately recovered after steroid treatment, probably because of the improvement in the tubulointerstitial lesions, but his nephrotic syndrome was steroid-resistant. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis therapy was effective for membranous glomerulonephritis and increased his serum albumin from 1.4 to 2.8 g/dL. Although IgG4-related kidney disease usually accompanies secondary membranous glomerulonephritis, the positive PLA2R staining suggested a concomitant primary membranous glomerulonephritis. The recent treatment strategy, including LDL apheresis, for primary and secondary membranous glomerulonephritis was discussed briefly in this report.

Keywords: IgG4-related kidney disease; LDL apheresis; Membranous glomerulonephritis; PLA2R; Tubulointerstitial nephritis.