Aberrant galactosylation of IgA1 is involved in the genetic susceptibility of Chinese patients with IgA nephropathy

Background. Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is associated with genetic and environmental factors, and un-dergalactosylation of IgA1 in the serum is considered to be a contributor to pathogenesis of IgAN. The present study was conducted to detect the galactose- (Gal) defi-cient IgA1 level in Chinese IgAN patients and their family members. Methods. Sixty-three IgAN patients were enrolled, where 32 first-degree relatives of 19 patients and 44 spouses of 44 patients were recruited. Healthy blood donors (n = 39) were used as normal controls. Biotinylated HAA (Helix aspersa) was utilized to detect the Gal-deficient IgA1 in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All the results were corrected by serum IgA1 concentration