{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: IgA1 Glycosylation Is Heritable in Healthy Twins.
{Author}: Lomax-Browne HJ;Visconti A;Pusey CD;Cook HT;Spector TD;Pickering MC;Falchi M;
{Journal}: J Am Soc Nephrol
{Volume}: 28
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: Jan 2017
{Factor}: 14.978
{DOI}: 10.1681/ASN.2016020184
{Abstract}: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common form of primary GN and an important cause of kidney failure. Characteristically, patients with IgAN have increased serum levels of undergalactosylated IgA1 (gd-IgA1). To assess the degree to which serum gd-IgA1 levels are genetically determined in healthy individuals, we determined serum IgA and gd-IgA1 levels by ELISA in a sample of 148 healthy female twins, including 27 monozygotic and 47 dizygotic pairs. Using the classic twin model, we found the heritability of serum gd-IgA1 and IgA levels to be 80% (95% confidence interval, 66% to 89%) and 46% (95% confidence interval, 15% to 69%), respectively. These data indicate that serum gd-IgA1 levels are highly heritable. Elucidating the genetic basis of this heritability will be important in understanding the pathogenesis of IgAN.