Figure 1.

Any type of kidney injury can cause tissue damage. The danger signals released by the damaged tissue alert the recognition receptors, which activate the inflammatory cells and mediators of the innate immunity system. In this inflammatory environment, hidden podocyte antigens may be exposed, whereas dendritic cells become mature, migrate to lymphatic system, and present the antigen to immune competent cells. T cells cooperate with B cells favoring the production of antibodies directed against the exposed antigens planted in the subepithelium, with in situ formation of immune complexes, activation of complement, formation of free oxygen radicals, and inflammation. Adapted from: Ponticelli et al[10], 2012. De novo membranous nephropathy (MN) in kidney allografts. A peculiar form of all immune disease? With permission.