Pediatric Nephrology

, Volume 1, Issue 2, pp 136–139 | Cite as

C4 isotype deficiency in IgA nephropathy

  • Thomas R. Welch
  • Annette Berry
  • Linda S. Beischel
Original Article
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

C4 and factor B typing were performed in 37 pediatric patients with primary IgA nephropathy. Null alleles for C4B occurred with a frequency of 26% in patients, as compared to 15% in healthy controls (NS). The phenotype of C4B deficiency (homozygous C4B null), however, was found in 16% of patients and 4% of controls (P<0.05). Comparison of observed C4B phenotypes with those predicted from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium also confirmed an excess of C4B deficiency (P<0.0005). In contrast, there was no evidence of distortion in the frequencies of the C4A null allele or phenotype, or of the factor B alleles. The data suggest that C4B deficiency may be one of multiple interacting factors contributing to the development of this glomerulopathy.

Key words

IgA nephropathy Genetics Complement C4 Glomerulonephritis 
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Copyright information

© IPNA 1987

Authors and Affiliations

  • Thomas R. Welch
    • 1
    • 2
  • Annette Berry
    • 1
    • 2
  • Linda S. Beischel
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of Pediatrics, University of CincinnatiCollege of MedicineCincinnatiUSA
  2. 2.Division of Nephrologythe Children's Hospital Research FoundationCincinnatiUSA

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