# Lupus nephritis

Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus which is a more severe form of SLE that develops in children up to 18 years old; both are autoimmune diseases. It is a type of glomerulonephritis in which the glomeruli become inflamed. Since it is a result of SLE, this type of glomerulonephritis is said to be secondary, and has a different pattern and outcome from conditions with a primary cause originating in the kidney. The diagnosis of lupus nephritis depends on blood tests, urinalysis, X-rays, ultrasound scans of the kidneys, and a kidney biopsy. On urinalysis, a nephritic picture is found and red blood cell casts, red blood cells and proteinuria is found.

## Signs and symptoms

General symptoms of lupus nephritis include
* Fever
* Edema
* High blood pressure
* Joint pain
* Muscle pain
* Malar rash
* Foamy urine

## Cause

The cause of lupus nephritis, a genetic predisposition, plays a significant role in lupus nephritis. Multiple genes, many of which are not yet identified, mediate this genetic predisposition.
The immune system protects the human body from infection, and with immune system problems it cannot distinguish between harmful and healthy substances. Lupus nephritis affects approximately 3 out of 10,000 people.

## Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of lupus nephritis has autoimmunity contributing significantly. Autoantibodies direct themselves against nuclear elements. The characteristics of nephritogenic autoantibodies (lupus nephritis) are antigen specificity directed at nucleosome, high affinity autoantibodies form intravascular immune complexes, and autoantibodies of certain isotypes activate complement.

## Diagnosis

A tubuloreticular inclusion within capillary endothelial cells is also characteristic of lupus nephritis and can be seen under an electron microscope in all stages. It is not diagnostic however, as it exists in other conditions such as HIV infection.

### Classification

The World Health Organization has divided lupus nephritis into five stages based on the biopsy. This classification was defined in 1982 and revised in 1995.
Class IV disease (Diffuse proliferative nephritis) is both the most severe, and the most common subtype. Class VI (advanced sclerosing lupus nephritis) is a final class which is included by most practitioners. It is thought to be due to the chronic interferon exposure.
| Order | Name | Incidence | Light microscopy | Electron microscopy | Clinical findings and other tests | Treatment |
| Class I | Minimal mesangial glomerulonephritis | 5% | Normal appearance | Mesangial deposits are visible under an electron microscope | Kidney failure is very rare in this form. Normal urinalysis. | |
| Class II | Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis | 20% | Mesangial hypercellularity and matrix expansion. | | Microscopic haematuria with or without proteinuria may be seen. Hypertension, nephrotic syndrome, and acute kidney injury are very rare at this stage. | Responds to high doses of corticosteroids |
| Class III | Focal glomerulonephritis | 25% | Sclerotic lesions involving less than 50% of the glomeruli, which can be segmental or global, and active or chronic, with endocapillary or extracapillary proliferative lesions. | Subendothelial deposits are noted, and some mesangial changes may be present | Immunofluorescence reveals positively for IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and C1q. Clinically, haematuria and proteinuria are present, with or without nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, and elevated serum creatinine. | Often successfully responds to high doses of corticosteroids |
| Class IV | Diffuse proliferative nephritis | 40% | More than 50% of glomeruli are involved. Lesions can be segmental or global, and active or chronic, with endocapillary or extracapillary proliferative lesions. | Under electron microscopy, subendothelial deposits are noted, and some mesangial changes may be present. | Clinically, haematuria and proteinuria are present, frequently with nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, hypocomplementemia, elevated anti-dsDNA titres and elevated serum creatinine. Kidney failure is common.Diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis as seen in a pathology specimen | Corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs |
| Class V | Membranous glomerulonephritis | 10% | Diffuse thickening of the glomerular capillary wall (segmentally or globally), with diffuse membrane thickening, and subepithelial deposits seen under the electron microscope. | | Signs of nephrotic syndrome. Microscopic haematuria and hypertension may also be seen. Can also lead to thrombotic complications such as renal vein thromboses or pulmonary emboli. Kidney failure is uncommon. | |
| Class VI | Advanced sclerosing lupus nephritis. | | Global sclerosis involving more than 90% of glomeruli, and represents healing of prior inflammatory injury. | | Active glomerulonephritis is not usually present. This stage is characterised by slowly progressive kidney dysfunction, with relatively bland urine sediment. | Response to immunotherapy is usually poor. |

## Treatment

Drug regimens prescribed for lupus nephritis include mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), intravenous cyclophosphamide with corticosteroids, and the immune suppressant azathioprine with corticosteroids. MMF and cyclophosphamide with corticosteroids are equally effective in achieving remission of the disease, however the results of a systematic review found that immunosuppressive drugs were better than corticosteroids for renal outcomes. MMF is safer than cyclophosphamide with corticosteroids, with less chance of causing ovarian failure, immune problems or hair loss. It also works better than azathioprine with corticosteroids for maintenance therapy. A 2016 network meta-analysis, which included 32 RCTs of lupus nephritis, demonstrated that tacrolimus and MMF followed by azathioprine maintenance were associated with a lower risk of serious infection when compared to other immunosuppressants or glucocorticoids. Individuals with lupus nephritis have a high risk for B-cell lymphoma (which begins in the immune system cells).

## Prognosis

In those who have SLE, concomitant lupus nephritis is associated with a worse overall prognosis. 10-30% of people with lupus nephritis progress to kidney failure requiring dialysis, with the 5 year mortality rate of lupus nephritis being 5-25%. The proliferative forms of lupus nephritis are associated with a higher risk of progression to end stage kidney disease. Black and Hispanic people with lupus nephritis are more likely to present with severe disease at initial presentation (with more proteinuria and more extensive histopathologic changes) and progress to end stage kidney disease. This is thought to be due to socioeconomic factors but auto-antibodies strongly associated with lupus nephritis such as anti-Sm, anti-Ro and anti-ribonucleoprotein are also more commonly seen in Black and Hispanic people. Men with SLE tend to have more aggressive forms of lupus nephritis as well with a higher risk of progression to end stage kidney disease and higher risk of concurrent cardiovascular disease.