Autoimmune renal disorders are kidney conditions caused by the body's immune system attacking the kidneys. These disorders can be caused by autoantibodies, which are proteins that attack specific proteins or structures in the kidneys.
Lupus nephritis : A severe form of glomerulonephritis that occurs when antibodies and complement bind to the basement membrane of the glomerulus
Membranous nephropathy : An autoimmune disease that affects only the kidneys and is characterized by deposits of autoantibodies and complement
IgA nephropathy : Also known as Berger's disease, this disorder occurs when the protein IgA builds up in the kidneys, causing them to leak protein and blood into the urine
Goodpasture's syndrome : An uncommon disease that affects the kidneys and lungs, causing the immune system to attack tissues in both organs
Sarcoidosis : A disease that causes immune system cells to form lumps called granulomas, which can collect in the kidneys and harm them
Other autoimmune diseases that can affect the kidneys include: Sjögren syndrome, Systemic scleroderma (SSc), Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and Antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy (APSN).
Autoimmune renal disorders can be treated with medications, dialysis, or kidney transplantation.