Underglycosylation of IgA in IgA nephropathy: more than a diagnostic marker?

Moldoveanu et al. present a diagnostic test for IgA nephropathy based on the presence of undergalactosylated IgA in serum. This underglycosylated IgA appears to be overrepresented in serum of IgA nephropathy patients and is most likely related to mesangial IgA deposition. Further studies on the nature, production, regulation, and cellular and molecular interactions of this undergalactosylated IgA may facilitate disease diagnosis and provide further insight into the pathogenesis of this important disease.