Research progress in target antigen and treatment of membranous nephropathy

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is one of the important causes of end-stage renal disease in adults, with insidious onset, complex clinical manifestations, and many complications. After decades of continuous research, the pathogenesis of MN has become definite. Target antigens such as M-type phospholipase A2 receptor and thrombospondin type-1 domain-containing 7A have replaced kidney biopsy to a certain extent, providing powerful help for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of MN. Traditional immunosuppressive agents have insufficient inhibition of B cells, the curative effect is uncertain, and they are prone to relapse. Monoclonal antibody drugs led by rituximab can effectively kill eliminate B cells and reduce the production of autoantibodies, and they have stable efficacy and high safety, providing new ideas for the treatment of MN. This article reviewed the research progress in target antigens and drug therapy of MN in order to provide reference for the clinical treatment of MN.