S28 Introduction S30 Summary of recommendation statements and practice points S88 Chapter 1: General principles for the management of glomerular disease S115 Chapter 2: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN)/immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) S128 Chapter 3: Membranous nephropathy S140 Chapter 4: Nephrotic syndrome in children S153 Chapter 5: Minimal change disease (MCD) in adults S161 Chapter 6: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in adults S172 Chapter 7: Infection-related glomerulonephritis S187 Chapter 8: Immunoglobulin-and complement-mediated glomerular diseases with a membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) pattern of injury S193 Chapter 9: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis S207 Chapter 10: Lupus nephritis S231 Chapter 11: Anti-glomerular basement membrane (Anti-GBM) antibody glomerulonephritis S235 Methods for guideline development S243 Biographic and disclosure information S254 Acknowledgments S256 ReferencesThis guideline is published as a supplement supported by KDIGO. The development and publication of this guideline are strictly funded by KDIGO, and neither KDIGO nor its guideline Work Group members sought or received monies or fees from corporate or commercial entities in connection with this work. The opinions or views expressed in this professional education supplement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or recommendations of the International Society of Nephrology or Elsevier. Dosages, indications, and methods of use for products that are referred to in the supplement by the authors may reflect their clinical experience or may be derived from the professional literature or other clinical sources. Because of the differences between in vitro and in vivo systems and between laboratory animal models and clinical data in humans, in vitro and animal data may not necessarily correlate with clinical results.

ObjectivesTo develop recommendations for the management of adult and paediatric lupus nephritis (LN).MethodsThe available evidence was systematically reviewed using the PubMed database. A modified Delphi method was used to compile questions, elicit expert opinions and reach consensus.ResultsImmunosuppressive treatment should be guided by renal biopsy, and aiming for complete renal response (proteinuria <0.5 g/24 h with normal or near-normal renal function). Hydroxychloroquine is recommended for all patients with LN. Because of a more favourable efficacy/toxicity ratio, as initial treatment for patients with class III–IVA or A/C (±V) LN according to the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society 2003 classification, mycophenolic acid (MPA) or low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide (CY) in combination with glucocorticoids is recommended. In patients with adverse clinical or histological features, CY can be prescribed at higher doses, while azathioprine is an alternative for milder cases. For pure class V LN with nephrotic-range proteinuria, MPA in combination with oral glucocorticoids is recommended as initial treatment. In patients improving after initial treatment, subsequent immunosuppression with MPA or azathioprine is recommended for at least 3 years; in such cases, initial treatment with MPA should be followed by MPA. For MPA or CY failures, switching to the other agent, or to rituximab, is the suggested course of action. In anticipation of pregnancy, patients should be switched to appropriate medications without reducing the intensity of treatment. There is no evidence to suggest that management of LN should differ in children versus adults.ConclusionsRecommendations for the management of LN were developed using an evidence-based approach followed by expert consensus.

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Ectopic calcification is a frequent complication of many degenerative diseases. Here we identify the serum protein α 2 -Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein (Ahsg, also known as fetuin-A) as an important inhibitor of ectopic calcification acting on the systemic level. Ahsg-deficient mice are phenotypically normal, but develop severe calcification of various organs on a mineral and vitamin D-rich diet and on a normal diet when the deficiency is combined with a DBA/2 genetic background. This phenotype is not associated with apparent changes in calcium and phosphate homeostasis, but with a decreased inhibitory activity of the Ahsg-deficient extracellular fluid on mineral formation. The same underlying principle may contribute to many calcifying disorders including calciphylaxis, a syndrome of severe systemic calcification in patients with chronic renal failure. Taken together, our data demonstrate a critical role of Ahsg as an inhibitor of unwanted mineralization and provide a novel therapeutic concept to prevent ectopic calcification accompanying various diseases.

The addition of immunosuppressive therapy to intensive supportive care in patients with high-risk IgA nephropathy did not significantly improve the outcome, and during the 3-year study phase, more adverse effects were observed among the patients who received immunosuppressive therapy, with no change in the rate of decrease in the eGFR. (Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research; STOP-IgAN ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00554502.).