Antigens, antibodies, and membranous nephropathy: a decade of progress.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is either primary or associated with various etiologies, each with unique glomerular antigens. The discovery of the phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antigen in primary MN revolutionized our understanding of MN and led to major clinical progress. Other recently discovered antigens in MN include the THSD7A antigen and exostosin. Sethi et al. have now identified a new antigen, NELL-1, in primary MN, again decreasing the number of patients whose antigen remains unknown.