ASN Glomerular Diseases 2021 Update

Advanced Nephrology Course on Glomerulonephritis, Lupus Nephritis, IgA Nephropathy & Immune-Mediated Kidney Disease

The ASN Glomerular Diseases 2021 Update provides a comprehensive, evidence-based review of the rapidly evolving field of glomerular disease diagnosis and management. Developed by the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), this advanced educational program brings together leading international experts to discuss the latest advances in glomerular pathology, immunology, genetics, classification systems, and targeted therapies.

Glomerular diseases remain among the most complex disorders encountered in nephrology, requiring clinicians to integrate:

• Kidney pathology
• Immunologic mechanisms
• Serologic testing
• Molecular medicine
• Clinical nephrology
• Precision immunosuppressive therapy

This course delivers practical updates on both common and rare glomerular disorders while emphasizing modern treatment strategies, updated KDIGO guidelines, and advances in kidney pathology interpretation.

Modern Advances in Glomerular Disease

The understanding of glomerular disease pathogenesis has advanced dramatically over the past decade.

This ASN update explores major developments in:

• Immune-mediated kidney injury
• Complement dysregulation
• Autoimmune nephritis
• Podocytopathies
• Monoclonal gammopathy-associated kidney disease
• Viral-associated nephropathies
• Precision nephrology

The course also highlights how modern molecular and immunologic discoveries are transforming the diagnosis and management of complex glomerular diseases.

KDIGO 2012 vs. KDIGO 2021 Updates

A major focus of the program is the evolution of KDIGO clinical practice guidelines.

The course reviews:

• Key changes between KDIGO 2012 and KDIGO 2021
• Updated immunosuppressive strategies
• Risk stratification approaches
• Proteinuria reduction goals
• Steroid minimization strategies
• Emerging targeted therapies

The faculty explain how these updated recommendations impact daily nephrology practice and long-term kidney outcomes.

IgA Nephropathy

The IgA nephropathy sessions review one of the most common glomerular diseases worldwide.

Topics include:

• Pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy
• Risk prediction models
• Proteinuria management
• Supportive therapy optimization
• Steroid controversies
• Emerging targeted therapies

The course also discusses evolving concepts surrounding:

• Gut-kidney immune interactions
• Complement activation
• Precision therapy approaches

Lupus Nephritis Management

The lupus nephritis lectures provide updated approaches to:

• Classification systems
• Induction therapy
• Maintenance immunosuppression
• Biologic therapies
• Monitoring disease activity
• Preventing treatment toxicity

The program reviews modern treatment strategies involving:

• Mycophenolate mofetil
• Cyclophosphamide
• Calcineurin inhibitors
• Belimumab
• Combination immunotherapy

ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

The ANCA vasculitis sessions cover:

• Small vessel vasculitis pathophysiology
• Renal biopsy interpretation
• Induction therapy
• Rituximab-based protocols
• Plasma exchange controversies
• Relapse prevention

The course emphasizes individualized treatment selection based on:

• Disease severity
• Organ involvement
• Relapse risk
• Toxicity reduction strategies

Nephrotic Syndrome & Podocytopathies

The nephrotic syndrome section examines:

• Minimal change disease
• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
• Membranous nephropathy
• Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome
• Podocyte injury mechanisms

The course reviews:

• Histopathologic classification
• Biomarker interpretation
• Anti-PLA2R antibodies
• Genetic podocytopathies
• Modern immunosuppressive therapies

Membranous Nephropathy

The membranous nephropathy lectures focus on:

• Autoantibody-mediated disease mechanisms
• Risk-based treatment decisions
• Rituximab therapy
• Monitoring immunologic remission
• Secondary causes of membranous nephropathy

The faculty explain how serologic testing has revolutionized diagnosis and long-term disease monitoring.

Complement-Mediated Kidney Disease

One of the most advanced areas covered in the course is complement-mediated glomerular disease.

Topics include:

• C3 glomerulopathy
• Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)
• Complement activation pathways
• Genetic complement abnormalities
• Emerging complement inhibitors

The course explores how complement dysregulation contributes to:

• Progressive kidney injury
• Inflammatory damage
• Rare glomerular syndromes

Dysproteinemias & Monoclonal Gammopathy

The dysproteinemia lectures review:

• Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS)
• Paraprotein-related kidney injury
• Kidney biopsy pathology
• Hematologic-nephrologic collaboration
• Clone-directed therapy

These sessions emphasize the importance of integrating:

• Kidney pathology
• Hematologic evaluation
• Immunofluorescence findings
• Electron microscopy
• Clinical presentation

Viral Glomerulopathies

The course reviews glomerular diseases associated with:

• HIV
• Hepatitis viruses
• COVID-19-associated nephropathy
• Viral-mediated immune dysregulation

The faculty discuss evolving evidence regarding:

• Collapsing glomerulopathy
• APOL1-associated kidney disease
• Viral-triggered podocyte injury

Glomerular Disease in Special Populations

Specialized lectures cover:

• Pediatric glomerular disease
• Pregnancy-related glomerular disorders
• Autoimmune nephritis in pregnancy
• Pediatric nephrotic syndrome
• Developmental immune mechanisms

These sessions address the unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges encountered in vulnerable populations.

Kidney Pathology & Classification

A major strength of the ASN Glomerular Diseases program is its strong integration of nephropathology.

The pathology-focused sessions review:

• C3 glomerulonephritis classification
• FSGS variants
• Membranous nephropathy pathology
• Dysproteinemia-associated lesions
• TMA pathology interpretation

The course emphasizes clinicopathologic correlation and modern classification systems essential for accurate diagnosis.

Topics Covered

• IgA nephropathy
• Lupus nephritis
• ANCA-associated vasculitis
• Minimal change disease
• FSGS
• Membranous nephropathy
• Nephrotic syndrome
• C3 glomerulopathy
• Thrombotic microangiopathy
• Complement-mediated kidney disease
• Dysproteinemias and MGRS
• Viral glomerulopathies
• Pediatric glomerular disease
• Pregnancy-related kidney disease
• KDIGO 2021 updates
• Kidney pathology and classification

Educational Features

✔️ ASN expert faculty and international nephrology leaders
✔️ Evidence-based glomerular disease management
✔️ Updated KDIGO guideline interpretation
✔️ Advanced nephropathology integration
✔️ Practical clinical treatment strategies
✔️ Modern immunologic and molecular insights
✔️ Case-based nephrology education
✔️ Advanced immune-mediated kidney disease review

Final Expert Perspective

Glomerular diseases remain among the most intellectually demanding and rapidly evolving areas in nephrology. Advances in immunology, molecular genetics, kidney pathology, and targeted therapies are reshaping the diagnosis and management of diseases once associated with poor long-term outcomes. Clinicians now must integrate complex clinicopathologic data with individualized immunosuppressive strategies and emerging biologic therapies to optimize kidney preservation and patient survival.

The ASN Glomerular Diseases 2021 Update delivers a highly detailed and clinically practical review of modern glomerular disease management, combining expert nephrology education with advanced pathology interpretation and evidence-based therapeutic updates. For nephrologists, renal fellows, internists, pathologists, and clinicians involved in immune-mediated kidney disease care, this program provides an essential update on the rapidly advancing world of glomerular nephrology.