Membranoproliferative GlomerulonephritisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is a kidney disorder that involves inflammation and changes to kidney cells. It may lead to kidney failure.
Membranoproliferative GN I; Membranoproliferative GN II; Mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis; Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis; Lobular GN; Glomerulonephritis - membranoproliferative; MPGN type I; MPGN type II
Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli. The glomeruli of the kidney help filter wastes and fluids from the blood to form urine.
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a form of glomerulonephritis caused by an abnormal immune response. Deposits of antibodies build up in a part of the kidneys called the glomerular basement membrane. This membrane helps filter wastes and extra fluids from the blood.
Damage to this membrane affects the kidney's ability to create urine normally. It may allow blood and protein to leak into the urine. If enough protein leaks into the urine, fluid may leak out of the blood vessels into body tissues, leading to swelling (edema). Nitrogen waste products may also build up in the blood (azotemia).
The 2 forms of this disease are MPGN I and MPGN II.
Most people with the disease have type I. MPGN II is much less common. It also tends to get worse faster than MPGN I.
Causes of MPGN may include:
- Autoimmune diseases (such as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, Sjögren syndrome, and sarcoidosis)
- Cancer (leukemia, lymphoma)
- Infections (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, endocarditis, malaria)
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Blood in the urine
- Changes in mental status such as decreased alertness or decreased concentration
- Cloudy urine
- Dark urine (smoke, cola, or tea colored)
- Decrease in urine volume
- Swelling of any part of the body
The treatment depends on the symptoms. The goals of treatment are to reduce symptoms, prevent complications, and slow the progression of the disorder.
You may need a change in diet. This may include limiting sodium, fluids, or protein to help control high blood pressure, swelling, and the buildup of waste products in the blood.
Medicines that may be prescribed include:
- Blood pressure medicines
- Dipyridamole, with or without aspirin
- Diuretics
- Medicines to suppress the immune system, such as cyclophosphamide
- Steroids
Treatment is more effective in children than in adults. Dialysis or kidney transplant may eventually be needed to manage kidney failure.
CUIMC/Herbert Irving Pavilion
Andrew S. Bomback, MD, MPH, is a nephrologist who specializes in glomerular diseases and resistant hypertension. Dr. Bomback received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed residency in Internal Medicine and fellowships in Nephrology and Clinical Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was the Doc J. Thurston III Fellow in Nephrology and Hypertension. In 2009, he returned to Columbia University as an associate at the Center for Glomerular Diseases and is currently Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Bomback is a member of the ColumbiaDoctors Hypertension Center, a multi-disciplinary center of excellence that provides high quality care and state-of-the-art diagnostic testing for patients with hypertension,Dr. Bomback has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on the subjects of chronic kidney disease, glomerular diseases, and hypertension. He is the co-author of the textbook, Chronic Kidney Disease and Hypertension Essentials, and an editor of the National Kidney Foundation's Primer on Kidney Diseases. He is the recipient of the 2013 Daniel V. Kimberg Junior Faculty Award for oustanding teaching of medical students and housestaff.Dr. Bomback's research interests focus on evaluating novel therapies for glomerular diseases. He currently serves as principal or co-investigator on clinical trials of new treatments for IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, lupus glomerulonephritis, hereditary nephritis, C3 glomerulopathy, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Dr. Bomback is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis. His top areas of expertise are Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis, Glomerulonephritis, Membranous Nephropathy, Minimal Change Disease, and Kidney Transplant.
Mayo Clinic-Rochester
Fernando Fervenza is a Nephrologist in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Fervenza is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis. His top areas of expertise are Glomerulonephritis, Membranous Nephropathy, Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis, Kidney Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.
Peter Zipfel practices in Jena, Germany. Mr. Zipfel is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis. His top areas of expertise are Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis, D-Minus Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome, D-Plus Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, and Kidney Transplant.
The condition often slowly gets worse and eventually results in chronic kidney failure.
Half of people with this condition develop long-term (chronic) kidney failure within 10 years. This is more likely in those who have higher levels of protein in their urine.
Complications that may result from this disease include:
- Acute nephritic syndrome
- Acute renal failure
- Chronic kidney disease
Contact your provider if:
- You have symptoms of this condition
- Your symptoms get worse or do not go away
- You develop new symptoms, including decreased urine output
Preventing infections such as hepatitis or managing diseases such as lupus may help prevent MPGN.
Summary: This study is designed as a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of iptacopan (LNP023) in idiopathic immune complex mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.
Summary: The aim of this cross-over trial is to assess aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, as a novel treatment to block complement activation in the kidneys and thereby attenuate renal disease and stabilize or improve kidney function and compare it to the currently used treatment with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, in patients with the complement-mediated renal disease C3 glomeru...
Published Date: September 02, 2025
Published By: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Radhakrishnan J, Stokes MB. Glomerular disorders and nephrotic syndromes. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 107.
Saha MK, Pendergraft WF, Jennette JC, Falk RJ. Primary glomerular disease. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 31.
Sethi S, De Vriese AS, Fervenza FC. Immunoglobulin-mediated glomerulonephritis with a membranoproliferative pattern of injury and cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis. In: Johnson RJ, Floege J, Tonelli M, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 22.