Molecular analysis of human glomerulonephritis

Understanding the complex mechanisms involved in the induction and progression of glomerulonephritis requires a detailed analysis of the disease at the molecular level. This has become possible with the advent of antibody- based, and in particular, DNA-based techologies. This paper provides an overview of the methods of molecular analysis currently in use in the study of human glomerulonephritis. Although largely restricted to the research laboratories at present, these techniques of molecular analysis are now entering the mainstream of clinical diagnostic testing.