A Case-Based Review of Membranous Nephropathy

In this episode of The Nephron Files Podcast, Dr. Yongen Chang and Dr. Olivia Lahey review membranous nephropathy through a real-life clinical case. We discuss the underlying causes of disease, key renal pathology findings, diagnostic evaluation, and the evolving treatment landscape. This episode is designed for medical students, residents, fellows, nephrologists, advanced practice providers, and anyone interested in glomerular kidney diseases. Topics Covered Overview of membranous nephropathy Primary and secondary causes Clinical presentation and diagnosis Role of PLA2R and other biomarkers Renal pathology findings Risk stratification and prognosis Current treatment approaches Emerging developments in glomerular disease management The Nephron Files Podcast aims to make glomerular disease education accessible through concise, practical, and evidence-based discussions grounded in real clinical cases. Hosts & Content Development Yongen Chang, MD, PhD, FASN Olivia Lahey, MD Renal Pathology Expertise Jonathan Zuckerman, MD, PhD Video Production & Editing Michaela Sumortin Supported by the UCI School of Medicine Department of Medicine Educational Pilot Grant. About The Nephron Files The Nephron Files Podcast is an educational nephrology podcast focused on glomerular diseases, kidney pathology, diagnostic approaches, and advances in treatment. Episodes are designed to support learners at all stages of training while serving as a practical resource for clinicians and patients interested in kidney health. References: Couser, W. G. Primary Membranous Nephropathy. Clin. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. CJASN 12, 983–997 (2017). Pan, Y. et al. Animal models of membranous nephropathy: more choices and higher similarity. Front. Immunol. 15, (2024). Tang, H., Zhu, R., Waldman, M. & Zhu, Q. Structural determinants of the dominant conformational epitopes of phospholipase A2 receptor in primary membranous nephropathy. J. Biol. Chem. 298, 101605 (2022). Ruggenenti, P. et al. Anti-Phospholipase A2 Receptor Antibody Titer Predicts Post-Rituximab Outcome of Membranous Nephropathy. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. JASN 26, 2545–2558 (2015). Fervenza, F. C. et al. Rituximab or Cyclosporine in the Treatment of Membranous Nephropathy. N. Engl. J. Med. 381, 36–46 (2019). Scolari, F. et al. Rituximab or Cyclophosphamide in the Treatment of Membranous Nephropathy: The RI-CYCLO Randomized Trial. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. JASN 32, 972–982 (2021). Floege, J. & Rovin, B. H. The STARMEN trial: rethinking calcineurin inhibitor therapy in membranous nephropathy. Kidney Int. 99, 811–813 (2021). Rojas-Rivera, J. et al. A European multicentre and open-label controlled randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of Sequential treatment with TAcrolimus–Rituximab versus steroids plus cyclophosphamide in patients with primary MEmbranous Nephropathy: the STARMEN study. Clin. Kidney J. 8, 503–510 (2015). #MembranousNephropathy #Nephrology #KidneyDisease #GlomerularDisease #RenalPathology #MedicalEducation #NephronFiles #NephrologyPodcast #InternalMedicine #KidneyHealth #Proteinuria #nephroticsyndrome