Hear experts discuss BAFF and APRIL and discover the latest research
Access expert insights on IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) and management along with research and resources.
Watch expert perspectives on IgAN
The central role of B cells in IgAN
Dr Cheung
Consultant Nephrologist and Honorary Associate Professor, University of Leicester
The central role of B cells in IgAN
Dr Geetha
Nephrologist and Professor of Clinical Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
The central role of B cells in IgAN
Dr Tumlin
Nephrologist and Director of Clinical Research, Emory University School of Medicine and Director of the NephroNet Clinical Trials Consortium
All individuals in the posted videos have been compensated by Vera Therapeutics for their time.
Peer-reviewed research on IgAN
Explore publications covering key topics on IgAN pathophysiology and clinical outcomes.
The role of BAFF and APRIL in IgA nephropathy: Pathogenic mechanisms and targeted therapies1
This review article focuses on the role of BAFF and APRIL in the pathogenesis of IgAN and the value of targeting the 2 cytokines in the treatment of the disease.
Long-term outcomes in IgA nephropathy2
This retrospective cohort study of patients with IgAN analyzed the relationship among proteinuria, eGFR slope, and lifetime risk for kidney failure. Results show that few patients, even those considered “low risk,” are expected to avoid kidney failure in their lifetime.
The pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy and implications for treatment3
This review article explores IgAN pathogenesis as source for therapeutic innovation. While supportive treatments are limited, new therapies that target pathways such as B-cell priming in the gut mucosa, BAFF and APRIL cytokines, plasma cells, complement activation, and the endothelin pathway are rapidly emerging.
Additional peer-reviewed research of interest
IgAN disease activity and progression
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy is characterized by anticommensal humoral immune responses
Currie EG et al. JCI Insight. 2022;7(5):e141289. doi:10.1172/jci.insight.141289READ NOW
Serum levels of galactose-deficient immunoglobulin (Ig) A1 and related immune complex are associated with disease activity of IgA nephropathy
Suzuki Y et al. Clin Exp Nephrol. 2014;18(5):770-777. doi:10.1007/s10157-013-0921-6READ NOW
Serum BAFF is elevated in patients with IgA nephropathy and associated with clinical and histopathological features
Xin G et al. J Nephrol. 2013;26(4):683-690. doi:10.5301/jn.5000218READ NOW
Serum BAFF and APRIL might be associated with disease activity and kidney damage in patients with anti-glomerular basement membrane disease
Xin G et al. Nephrology (Carlton). 2013;18(3):209-214. doi:10.1111/nep.12032READ NOW
The level of galactose-deficient IgA1 in the sera of patients with IgA nephropathy is associated with disease progression
Zhao N et al. Kidney Int. 2012;82(7):790-796. doi:10.1038/ki.2012.197READ NOW
Patients with IgA nephropathy have increased serum galactose-deficient IgA1 levels
Moldoveanu Z et al. Kidney Int. 2007;71(11):1148-1154. doi:10.1038/sj.ki.5002185READ NOW
Hematuria
Microscopic hematuria as a risk factor for IgAN progression: considering this biomarker in selecting and monitoring patients
Zand L et al. Clin Kidney J. 2023;16(Suppl 2):ii19-ii27. doi:10.1093/ckj/sfad232READ NOW
Glomerular hematuria: cause or consequence of renal inflammation?
Moreno JA et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(9):2205. doi:10.3390/ijms20092205READ NOW
Persistent microscopic hematuria as a risk factor for progression of IgA nephropathy: new floodlight on a nearly forgotten biomarker
Coppo R, Fervenza FC. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2017;28(10):2831-2834. doi:10.1681/ASN.2017060639READ NOW
Remission of hematuria improves renal survival in IgA nephropathy
Sevillano AM et al. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2017;28(10):3089-3099. doi:10.1681/ASN.2017010108READ NOW
Proteinuria
Long-term outcomes in IgA nephropathy
Pitcher D et al. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2023;18(6):727-738. doi:10.2215/CJN.0000000000000135READ NOW
Proteinuria reduction as a surrogate end point in trials of IgA nephropathy
Thompson A et al. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2019;14(3):469-481. doi:10.2215/CJN.08600718READ NOW
IgAN pathophysiology
The role of BAFF and APRIL in IgA nephropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and targeted therapies
Cheung CK et al. Front Nephrol. 2024;3:1346769. doi:10.3389/fneph.2023.1346769READ NOW
High levels of gut-homing immunoglobulin A+ B lymphocytes support the pathogenic role of intestinal mucosal hyperresponsiveness in immunoglobulin A nephropathy patients
Sallustio F et al. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2021;36(3):452-464. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfaa264. Erratum in: Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2021;36(9):1765. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfaa344READ NOW
BAFF is involved in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy by activating the TRAF6/NFκB signaling pathway in glomerular mesangial cells
Cao Y et al. Mol Med Rep. 2020;21(2):795-805. doi:10.3892/mmr.2019.10870READ NOW
Pathogenic role of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) in murine IgA nephropathy
Kim YG et al. PLoS One. 2015;10(9):e0137044. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0137044READ NOW
TLR9 and BAFF: their expression in patients with IgA nephropathy
Li W et al. Mol Med Rep. 2014;10(3):1469-1474. doi:10.3892/mmr.2014.2359READ NOW
IgA nephropathy
Wyatt RJ, Julian BA. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(25):2402-2414. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1206793READ NOW
An update on the pathogenesis and treatment of IgA nephropathy
Boyd JK et al. Kidney Int. 2012;81(9):833-843. doi:10.1038/ki.2011.501READ NOW
Mice overexpressing BAFF develop a commensal flora-dependent, IgA-associated nephropathy
McCarthy DD et al. J Clin Invest. 2011;121(10):3991-4022. doi:10.1172/JCI45563. Erratum in: J Clin Invest. 2012;122(2):778. doi:10.1172/JCI62188READ NOW
New IgAN treatment strategies
New strategies and perspectives on managing IgA nephropathy
Selvaskandan H et al. Clin Exp Nephrol. 2019;23(5):577-588. doi:10.1007/s10157-019-01700-1READ NOW
Leading organizations and clinical resources
IgA Nephropathy Foundation
The IgA Nephropathy Foundation is an organization that supports patients with IgAN and their care partners through research for a cure, public education, and patient service.
International IgAN Prediction Tool
By following a series of prompts, this web-based application can help determine prognosis in adults with IgAN.
BAFF and APRIL: 2 drivers of IgAN disease progression1
Take a look at clinical and preclinical evidence for the dual role of BAFF and APRIL in IgAN pathophysiology, and see how their upregulation initiates the multi-hit model that leads to negative outcomes.
Keep up with the latest advancements in IgAN
Sign up to receive emails on all the latest IgAN insights, news, and research from Vera Therapeutics. These updates are intended for US healthcare professionals only.
APRIL=A proliferation-inducing ligand; BAFF=B-cell activating factor; eGFR=estimated glomerular filtration rate; IgA=immunoglobulin A; IgA1=immunoglobulin A1; NFκB=nuclear factor-kappa B; TLR9=toll-like receptor 9; TRAF6=tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6.
References: 1. Cheung CK, Barratt J, Liew A, Zhang H, Tesar V, Lafayette R. The role of BAFF and APRIL in IgA nephropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and targeted therapies. Front Nephrol. 2024;3:1346769. doi:10.3389/fneph.2023.1346769 2. Pitcher D, Braddon F, Hendry B, et al. Long-term outcomes in IgA nephropathy. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2023;18(6):727-738. doi:10.2215/CJN.0000000000000135 3. Cheung CK, Alexander S, Reich HN, Selvaskandan H, Zhang H, Barratt J. The pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy and implications for treatment. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2025;21(1):9-23. doi:10.1038/s41581-024-00885-3