Figure 4.

Graphical schematization of idiopathic membranous nephropathy in the context of podocyte depletion hypothesis. (1) In the initial stage, Ab anti-PLA₂R caused immunocomplexes-deposition and podocyte damage after interaction with their podocyte target; (2) after the initial damage, podocytura and proteinuria both increase; (3) in case of persisting immunological damage, the reduction of podocyte mass progressively leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with podocyturia decrease and, per contrast, further increase in proteinuria.

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