IgA1 glycosylation in IgA nephropathy: As sweet as it can be

Abstract

Abnormally O-glycosylated IgA1 is likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Buck et al. show that the enzyme activity and gene expression of specific glycosyltransferases, in purified B cells isolated from peripheral blood and bone marrow, is not reduced in IgAN patients. As only a small fraction of IgA in IgAN patients is abnormally glycosylated, it is probable that a more detailed molecular analysis at the single cell level is required to unravel the cause of this abnormality.