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©The Author(s) 2025.
World J Stem Cells. Aug 26, 2025; 17(8): 104930
Published online Aug 26, 2025. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v17.i8.104930
Published online Aug 26, 2025. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v17.i8.104930
Table 1 Classifications, histopathology and therapeutic approaches for lupus nephritis
Classifications | Histopathology | Therapeutic approaches |
Minimal mesangial LN (class I) | Only mesangial immune deposits; no light microscopic abnormalities | Hydroxychloroquine. Low-level proteinuria-immunosuppressive treatment guided by extrarenal manifestations of SLE. Nephrotic syndrome-maintenance combination therapy with low-dose glucocorticoid and another immunosuppressive agent |
Mesangial proliferative LN (class II) | Mesangial hypercellularity or mesangial matrix expansion. A few isolated subepithelial or subendothelial deposits on IF or EM | |
Focal LN (class III) | < 50% glomeruli affected. Active or inactive endocapillary or extracapillary glomerulonephritis, always segmental (< 50% glomerular tuft). Subendothelial deposits on EM | Hydroxychloroquine. Initial therapy-glucocorticoids plus MPAA/low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide/belimumab and either MPAA or low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide/MPAA and a CNI. Maintenance therapy-low-dose glucocorticoids plus MPAA |
Diffuse LN (class IV) | ≥ 50% glomeruli affected. Endocapillary with or without extracapillary glomerulonephritis. Subendothelial deposits on EM | |
Lupus membranous nephropathy (class V) | Diffuse thickening of the glomerular capillary wall. Mesangial involvement. Subepithelial immune deposits | Hydroxychloroquine. Low-level proteinuria-RAS blockade, immunosuppressive treatment guided by extrarenal manifestations of SLE. Nephrotic syndrome-RAS blockade, immunosuppressive treatment with glucocorticoid and one other agent |
Advanced sclerosing LN (class VI) | Global sclerosis in > 90% glomeruli | General management |
- Citation: Liu L, Behera TR, Wang QJ, Shen QQ. Advances in mesenchymal stem cell therapy for lupus nephritis. World J Stem Cells 2025; 17(8): 104930
- URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/1948-0210/full/v17/i8/104930.htm
- DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4252/wjsc.v17.i8.104930