Assay

Phospholipase A2 antibody

Key Words

PLA2R, Antiphospholipase A2 antibody

Specimen Collection

Serum (Brown)

Turnaround time

14 days

This test is referred to another centre:

Protein Reference Unit & Immunology Department

Laboratory Medicine Building

North Lane

Northern General Hospital

Herries Road

Sheffield

S5 7AU

0114 226 9196

Test indications

Primary (idiopathic) membranous nephropathy

Membranous glomerulonephritis presents with nephrotic syndrome or proteinuria and is identified on renal biopsy by epithelial IgG and C3 deposition. The disease is more common in males than females and has a peak incidence between 40-50 years of age. Membranous nephropathy can be classified as either primary (idiopathic), which occurs in 75% of cases, or secondary. Secondary membranous is associated with malignancy, autoimmunity, infection and drugs. Primary membranous may have an autoimmune component with about 70% cases showing antibodies to M type phospholipase A2 receptor. Phospholipase A2 receptors are transmembrane glycoproteins found in the lungs, placenta, leukocytes and also expressed on podocytes in the kidney. Binding of antibody to PLA2R could cause subepithelial immune complex deposition and complement activation which then results in proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome.

PLA2R antibodies have been shown to be markers for monitoring the patient’s response to immune suppression and can fall to normal range values 3-6 months before there are signs of clinical remission.

PLA2R antibody measurement may have a role in identifying primary from secondary membranous nephropathy and also in disease monitoring. However they should not be viewed as a replacement for renal biopsy in the investigation of patients presenting with nephrotic syndrome.

Methodology

ELISA

Interferences

Contact referral lab

Reference Range

Negative = <13 RU/mL

Analytical error

Contact referral lab

Reference change value

Contact referral lab